This article was featured in WYDaily on 10/20/23.

The Heritage Humane Society held its annual Make Par for Pets charity golf tournament and golfers, sponsors, and homeless pets all turned out to be winners.

Clear skies and abundant sunshine made for excellent playing conditions on Sept. 15, 2023, for the tournament. Held for the second year at Kingsmill Resort, 271 golfers took on the famed River Course and Plantation Course in the captain’s choice format. Greeting the players were shelter pups (and still up for adoption!) Penguin and Pretzel. Team course assignments were selected in advance by adoptable shelter hamster, Howard.

Community collaboration creates local solutions

Presented by Invisible Fence Brand of Hampton Roads, Make Par for Pets Golf Classic raised nearly $80,000 to benefit the homeless pets of Greater Williamsburg’s largest animal shelter. For perspective, it costs more than $3,000 per day to run The Heritage Humane Society. As The Heritage Humane Society’s largest outdoor fundraiser, 300 shelter staff, board members and volunteers joined together to help the event succeed.

Video Sponsor Pyramid Roofing made it possible for the pet-loving community to relive the highlights of the 2023 tournament. The Make Par for Pets Golf Classic video was created by Captured Media.

Community sponsors championed the year’s most buzzed about local charity golf tournament. There were 51 sponsors of various types, which created opportunities for area entities of all sizes: 13 exclusive sponsors, seven Eagle Sponsors, five Purr-fect Teams, four Birdie Sponsors and 22 Hole Sponsors. Breakfast was sponsored by Aromas/The Hounds Tale. Media sponsors for the event, WY Daily/The Tide Radio kept the tunes playing as golfers made the turn along the two courses. Complimentary draft beer was available for all players thanks to Beer Sponsor, Noah’s Ark Veterinary Hospital. Lunch Sponsor Kaz Vision Laser Center greeted post-golf participants with a fiesta-themed buffet.

Always popular, there were more than 20 raffles this year presented by Raffle Sponsor Arby’s in Yorktown. The raffles raised over $8,500.

A kind donor sponsored two high school teams to play in the tournament. This year Warhill High School and Lafayette High School attended. The group from Warhill High School ended up winning 1st place on the Plantation Course.

Mark your calendars! The 2024 Make Par for Pets Golf Classic will be on Friday, September 13 at Kingsmill Resort. Invisible Fence Brand of Hampton Roads will generously be returning as the presenting sponsor for the 2024 tournament. Keep an eye on heritagehumane.org/golf for sponsorship opportunities and online registration, coming soon.

Meet these adoptable golf event attendees

Golfers and sponsors had the opportunity of meeting Penguin and Pretzel, two dogs who attended Make Par for Pets, who are currently up for adoption:

• Penguin. This sweet dog is a lovable, low-maintenance gal. She came from a very loving home and found herself in the Shelter’s care when her owner passed away. Penguin is housebroken and knows several commands including sit, stay, down, and she can even talk! She loves car rides and is good with children. We’ve learned that she loves to give kisses and will jump up gently to give you a hug as well. Penguin will make a very loyal companion for her next family. Don’t let her age fool you – she has a lot of life and love to give, so come meet her today.

• Pretzel. Exuding calm happiness, Pretzel is a nine-year-old labrador retriever mix. She was surrendered when her owners went into assisted living and could no longer take care of her. The staff and volunteers at Heritage Humane Society just love her. She is so mellow and easy-going, truly the ultimate low-maintenance dog. Pretzel enjoys attention and is just as happy relaxing next to you and snoozing. She’s got “sit”, “paw”, and “lay down” down pat, is good with kids, housetrained and crate-trained. And the kind people at Williamsburg Kia have sponsored Pretzel’s adoption fee because she was featured on #FurryFriendsFriday.

Pretzel’s foster mom shares: “Pretzel loves leisurely walks. We stroll around the neighborhood three times a day.  Pretzel loves her people pack. She will follow you around the house and lie by your feet. She does whine for a short time when her pack leaves the house. This is short-lived, there is no barking or destructive behavior.  After being away for a week and never meeting my husband, he came home, and Pretzel greeted him as a long-lost friend. She rarely barks.  She is friendly with people and other dogs when out and about. There is no history on how she does with cats, but it has been reported that she does well with children. At night she loves to sleep on the floor next to our bed. She sleeps through the night but somehow seems to know to wake up in time for breakfast. Pretzel would do well in a home where people are not gone working all day.  Even though she attaches herself to one person she is friendly with whoever is in the house. She would do well with a retired person or a household with multiple people. Pretzel is a very sweet older girl who is looking to live out the rest of her days with a loving family. It’s been hard on her being shuffled around so whoever is lucky enough to adopt her needs to be committed to her for the rest of her days.”

The Heritage Humane Society has over 200  dogs, cats and small pets currently in their care. Adoptable pets are available to meet during The Heritage Humane Society’s visiting and adopting hours from 12 to 4:30 p.m., Tues. through Sun.

To learn more, visit HeritageHumane.org, call 757-221-0150, or visit The Heritage Humane Society located at 430 Waller Mill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

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