‘Tee Up 4 Tails’ golf tournament supports U.P. animal shelter UPAWS

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WJMN) — Celebrating their 27th year hosting the event, supporters of UPAWS took to the course at Marquette Golf Club for the Tee Up 4 Tails fundraiser golf tournament on Thursday.

“It’s our major summer fundraiser,” said Karen Rhodes, Fundraising Volunteer for UPAWS. “The proceeds from the event go toward shelter operations because there are a lot of expenses with any business and ours is a huge business. Even though we have lots of volunteers, we still need paid staff there and to pay the other bills, so all the money raised today will go toward helping that.”

The event began thanks to Ardi Payan, a supporter of UPAWS who continues to take part in the tournament to this day.

“Many years ago, one of our earliest supporters for the shelter was Ardi Payan from Auto Armor, and he was close to some people who were passionate about animal welfare and he suggested doing a golf outing because he’s a golfer. It started out very small, and through the years, it’s gotten better and better,” Rhodes said. “Ardi comes every year and brings a couple teams and plays and we have so many local people, not only business people, but people who get a team together and come just to support us and it’s really a fun day.”

“The way I look at it, besides loving all animals, is animals can’t help themselves. Humans should pitch in, and so this has been a great event for 27 years,” said Payan. “I’m very proud to be part of it, and if it wasn’t for people like Karen and her husband, this stuff would not fall in place like the way it does. We’ve been sold out for many years and way ahead of time, so it’s getting to be a very popular golf outing for a very great cause.”

After beginning with just two teams in its founding year, the tournament kicked off Thursday morning with a new record of 36 teams taking part in the fun.

While you’ll have to wait until 2025 to take part in the next outing, in the mean time if you’re looking for a new four-legged friend, UPAWS is participating in the Bissell Pet Foundation’s ‘Empty the Shelters’ event through Sunday, July 21.

“Cats and dogs that are one year and up are part of this promotion. Cats are $5, dogs are $35 and any age small critter is no fee at all,” Ann Brownell, Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator for UPAWS. “Right now we are very close to capacity at our shelter, we are extremely full, so we ask if you are at all thinking of adopting, please, now is the time. Our community always supports us, from a plea for a washing machine to beautiful events like this Tee up 4 Tails golf outing and volunteers and sharing our posts on social media. From little things to big things, every single thing counts and it’s important.”

You can find additional information below:

You can visit the website for UPAWS here .

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