Sign up for the Pars 4 Paws Golf Tournament, and you'll have the chance to hit the links while raising money to support the K-9 Unit of Hellam Township Police.

The tournament will be held on Saturday, June 29, at Cool Creek Golf Club, 300 Cool Creek Road, Wrightsville. Registration will begin at 7 a.m., and the tournament will kick off with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.

This is the second year for the event, which originated after K-9 officer Michael Carpenter suggested the fundraiser. "He had the idea to hold a golf tournament, and after talking with other first responders, he learned that such events are a huge draw for the public and are usually profitable for the department," said James Pollock, Hellam chief of police.

Last year's event featured a full roster of players, lots of donations from local businesses and organizations and a great turnout for a post-tournament block party, said Courtney Bullman, police administrator.

"Players last year said the event was very well organized and very enjoyable, and even as workers, it was great to watch the players enjoy themselves," Bullman noted. "The prizes are also a big draw, and we had a lot of winners who walked away with great items. Overall, it's a day of fun, food and music, with everything going toward a good cause. What could be better than that?"

Each team in the tournament will have four players, and people can sign up as a team or individually, with solo players placed on teams. Special competitions will be held, including men's and women's longest drive, which will have cash prizes, Bullman said. Giveaway items will include gift baskets, signed sporting equipment and more.

Following the tournament, Burning Bridge Tavern, 108 Hellam St., Wrightsville, will host a meal and will feature live music.

Proceeds from the event will support the health, training and well-being of the police department's K-9 officers. "We want to keep our dogs in tip-top shape, which means vet visits, special training and providing any and all necessities for them, such as food and enrichment," Bullman shared. "We want our pups to be able to serve the community as best and as long as they can, and that means making sure we do our best for them."

The department has a new addition to the unit this year, 2-year-old Sage, a black Labrador therapy dog donated by The Hero Academy. "The Hero Academy is a nonprofit organization of volunteers that provides training to service and facility dogs," explained Mylinda Bull, K-9 handler and school resource officer. "Sage has been training since she was about 10 weeks old and has been such an asset in our elementary schools with me. We are looking forward to being out and about greeting golfers during the tournament."

For more information or to register for the tournament, visit http://www.hellamtownship.com/2024-pars4paws-golf-tournament or search for "Hellam Township Police" on Facebook. Registration closes two weeks prior to the event.