Golfing for community charities is nothing new. Now completed its third event, The Valley Echo Giving Back golf tournament at the Windermere Valley Golf Course isn’t new either. This year’s recipient of the proceeds, ICAN (Invermere Companion Animal Network), has big plans for something new though.

The four-year-old group is completely funded by donations and is planning a capital campaign to allow them to acquire land to house a new shelter facility. This new facility is envisioned as a large house-like structure that can accommodate up to 50 cats and kittens as well as other small animals.

There were a number of applications for the funds generated by the tournament. One of the reasons ICAN was chosen was that it demonstrated a need for capital funding; not day-to-day operational expenses. The amount raised during Saturday’s event hasn’t been determined yet but ICAN will have a solid base to start their project with.

A good time was had by all as each of the 21 teams entered were awarded prizes. There was a putting contest and a pooper-scooper contest in addition to the standard long drive and KP awards.

A great dinner prepared by Kari’s Kitchen was followed by silent auction closures and a live auction featuring some famous sports star apparel. The highest price was paid for a limited edition Bobby Orr jersey. The donor was able to provide two of them and they were sold for $1,425 each.

At the end of the day the winners are the local animals that will be rescued, housed and re-homed.