4th Annual Battle Dawgs Midnight Sun Golf Tourney-a great time for a good cause

Calling all golfers, professional or otherwise! It is time to gear up for the 4th Annual Battle Dawgs Midnight Sun Charity Golf Tournament. This year, the golf tournament will be held on June 17 at the Settlers Bay Golf Course in Wasilla.

“Battle Dawgs has always looked for unique fundraising opportunities. We’ve had the annual benefit auction, but with what we need to offer, we were trying to think of something that would be fun. We got in touch with Settlers Bay and were able to do the first tournament that year, and when we saw this, we worked with Vicky (Urbina, the Events Coordinator for Settlers Bay Golf Course) and are now able to do this,” says Jessy Lakin, Director of Operations for Battle Dawgs.

Unlike typical golf tournaments with an early tee-off time, this scramble-style tournament plays in the middle of the night. It is a fun, unique experience that encourages cheaters and buying a hole-in-one, mulligans, or big cups. Other favorites include the “Heckler Hole,” and of course, Big Foot is on hand.

Battle Dawgs is a an Alaskan-based non-profit that focuses on combat veterans needing help with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) , Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) through therapeutic outdoor rehab camps that run in the winter and summer.

“Each camp is personalized to the needs of the veterans. No 2 camps are alike,” says Larkin.

The Warrior camps provide Alaskan experiences to fit the season, including the summer camp with salmon and trout fishing, hiking, kayaking, UTV tours, and more. In the winter, the Iditarod Camp, veterans to help feed and care for the race team, attend the start of the Iditarod, ice fish, back country snow machining and more.

While the camps provide the Alaskan adventures, they also provide the space for veterans struggling to open up, find camaraderie, and seek other alternatives to healing besides medications, as well as reflect, reset, and heal with other veterans who have been through similar experiences.

The popular event has always sold out and Lakin expects the same this year:

“We really hope people come out, sign-up to be a part of this event. It’s important, it’s a great time. We encourage everyone to get involved and help support this much-needed cause. Getting veterans outdoors is an important part of healing for them.”

Proceeds from last year’s event went directly to assist 8 combat veterans to attend 2 Warrior Camps. There are no fees for warriors attending the camps. Lakin hopes to increase the number of veterans attending to 4 camps.

Registration opens 5:00 pm, with a Shotgun start at 7:00 pm. There will also be early breakfast, awards, raffles, and prizes at 12:00am.

To become a “hole sponsor” or for more information about the Battle Dawgs Midnight Sun Charity Golf Classic, please email jessy@battledawgs.org

To learn more about Battle Dawgs, visit www.battledawgs.org