Down a dusty, knotted labyrinth of gravel roads, hidden in the rolling hills and flat fields of the countryside between Eagle Grove and Goldfield is a refuge. A place where weary, tortured souls who've suffered terribly can finally find sanctuary, happiness, and safety. This haven is the Lazy J Rescue Ranch, a "forever home for all animals who have been abused, neglected, or forced to feel unloved."
But sanctuary is expensive. And this past Saturday, the local community came together to help pay the bills "Fore the Animals" at the rescue ranch's annual golf outing fundraiser and silent auction, held at the Eagle Grove Golf Course.
Not quite a 'dawn patrol' tournament, the 'duffers' hit the 'dance floor' in teams of four, on a 9 hole tour after a 10:00 AM symbolic 'shotgun start'. But first, many hit the clubhouse for a little warm up.
Holes were sponsored by local businesses and philanthropists to support the ranch, and teams paid $120 each, or $30 per player. Games, contests and prizes were held at several individual holes, and there was a 50/50 raffle as well. Winners received cash payouts. At one hole, a Aurelius™ golf club valued at $350, which would be customized for the winner, was raffled off at $10 per ticket. At another, the Wildcat Iowa Distillery was offering free shots of four of their best spirits, "tilled, milled, and filled" locally, with their grains farmed and their liquors distilled in Duncomb, Iowa, and available locally at the Nine and Dine, and at their tasting room in Webster City.
After the tourney, came the silent auction and merch sale. A terrific mix of eclectic prizes donated by both local and national businesses was up for auction, with something for literally everyone on the block.
Attendance was high, and you might say every shot was a rainmaker, even if they landed in the rough. "So many people showed up today," said Lazy J. Co-founder Tyler Linn, noting that attendance was, "almost twice as big as last year – which is going to make a huge difference for the animals." Which was especially good, Linn noted, because "some of the new animals we just took in have some serious medical issues."
Nine year old volunteer Leo Meintsma, nephew of Lazy J co-founder Haley Fitzpatrick (and future business titan) expertly explained the work of the ranch. "they rescue animals, people call them or text them that they have an animal that needs help and they don't know what to do, and they go over there and make them feel better, and a lot of people donate money so they can buy stuff… food, medicine, shelter… that they need to help them."
Participants agreed that the work of the rescue ranch was worth showing up for. "It's very, very important to support local efforts," said Amy Hunt of the Comm1 team, "that's what keeps everything flowing. And the Lazy J people, they're great – they're amazing!"
Butter, Bernie, Chocolate, Russel and the rest of the goats, Crawford the Alpaca, all the chickens in the coop, Dolly the great dane, Mumbles, Ruby and Oreo the pigs, and the rest of the animals at the ranch all appreciate everything.
