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Golf tournament at Oriole in Margate. {Courtesy}

A sold-out charity golf tournament in Margate will bring together 92 golfers while raising money for four South Florida animal rescue organizations.

The inaugural “Golfing Fore! Shelter Pets” tournament will be held Saturday, September 26, at Oriole Golf Club.

Organizers tell Margate Talk that proceeds will be divided evenly among UFAR Animals Rescue, Lady Luck Animal Rescue, Saving Sage Animal Rescue, and Good Karma Pet Rescue.

Groovy4Good Inc., a volunteer-run nonprofit, organizes the tournament and supports local animal rescues through community awareness, education, and creative events.

According to Rachael Chirichello, founder and president of Groovy4Good Inc., the organizations chosen help animals find homes, provide urgently needed medical care, offer low-cost spay and neuter services, and supply food and shelter while pets wait to be adopted.

“The money raised will be divided evenly among the four organizations and will be distributed to help them cover their expenses so they can keep helping the animals in need in our community,” she said.

The four-player scramble will begin with a 1:30 p.m. shotgun start, followed by an awards ceremony and buffet-style dinner. The tournament will also feature prizes, giveaways, raffles, and a 50/50 drawing.

Although all 92 golfing spots are filled, members of the public can still join the day’s festivities without playing golf.

“We are encouraging members of the community to come out and support us by coming to the Oriole clubhouse to participate in the raffle and festivities while engaging with the local animal rescue organizations,” Chirichello said.

The public festivities begin at noon. Tickets for the 6:30 p.m. dinner cost $55 and include a buffet of hamburgers, hot dogs, and sides. Drinks will be available for purchase from the bar.

Groovy4Good is also accepting curated raffle baskets from local businesses, as well as services and merchandise for the silent auction, through Thursday, September 24.

Chirichello said the fundraiser comes at a critical time for rescues and shelters struggling to keep up with the number of animals entering their care.

“Animal rescue organizations and shelters are completely overwhelmed with the number of animals in their care due to owner surrenders, irresponsible pet ownership, and the lack of spaying and neutering that leads to excess litters being born,” she said.

“By supporting this event, you are helping these vital animal rescue organizations in our community continue helping innocent animals who rely on us,” she added.

Chirichello said residents who cannot attend the tournament can still assist local rescues by adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating.

“We encourage anyone looking to bring a furry family member home to adopt, don’t shop, and visit their local animal rescues or shelters,” she said. “Don’t forget – love a rescue pet!”

Dinner tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and additional event information are available at givebutter.com/golf4shelterpets.

Businesses interested in donating raffle or silent auction items can contact Chirichello at 954-204-7446 or Groovy4GoodInc@gmail.com.

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Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiples outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.