Mayor Jeff Genung is inviting members of the community to tee-off in support of "raising the roof" at the Cochrane and Area Humane Society by participating in the third annual Mayor’s Invitational Tournament on July 24.
The tourney will get underway at the Link of Gleneagles at noon, where players will enjoy lunch before a shotgun start. A best ball tournament will take place at 1 p.m., with a banquet to wrap up the tournament alongside a live silent auction.
“The key component underlining everything is fun,” Genung said. “I’ve seen mayors having similar kinds of golf tournaments in their communities and I thought it would be something cool [to do] here.”
Although he wasn’t much of a golfer over the COVID-19 pandemic, Genung said he took the steps three years ago to host the inaugural Mayor's Invitational and support benefactors that contribute to the greater good of Cochrane.
“This year we are going to raise the roof on the Humane Society,” Genung said.
With heavy involvement from the community alongside Genung to bring the event together, he said after looking for a benefactor to sit on the committee for this year’s invitational, the Cochrane and Area Humane Society was chosen after visiting their facility last winter.
“I took a tour of the humane society and quickly learned that they were really impacted by COVID,” Genung said. “Their programs that they operate and really rely on were under-subscribed, [and] they obviously couldn’t have them through those COVID years and were slow to get traction again post-COVID.”
Genung said he decided to work together with the humane society, and this year’s invitational will help provide a new roof (quite literally) over their heads, hooves, and paws.
Genung said he hopes the tournament raises around $60,000 to help fund the project.
“One of the big capital projects they had in the books for this year is a new roof, a literal new roof on the shelter,” Genung said. “So, all of the money we raise will go directly to them, and hopefully the we’ll raise enough to cover the entire roof project.”
With tee-off less than a week away, Genung said he looks forward to seeing Cochranites partake in the event, clear weather, and giving back to an organization that serves the community.
“I love this stuff,” Genung said. “This is part of the reason why I wanted to be mayor – to get involved and make changes and positive impacts.
“...to see new shingles on the roof of the humane society, it’s gratifying and meaningful work to make positive changes like that.”
Genung would also like to extend a special thanks and shout-out to all the sponsors who help make the event a reality.
“This wouldn’t happen without all of the individual and community businesses just wanting to take part or donate,” Genung said. “It’s a fun day, but their funds are going to raise the roof on the Humane Society, so thanks to all the individuals and businesses who stepped forward.”
With overwhelming support from golfers already, Genung said this year’s event is filling up quickly. With spots for two teams or eight individual players, he said players looking to fill in those spots or those interested in sponsorship opportunities can learn more by contacting Jayne Dangerfield via email at [email protected].
