Thank you from those who cannot speak for themselves

On behalf of many paws, the volunteers at Coastal Animal Rescue are deeply thankful for the generosity of countless businesses and golf courses for their support of the shelter’s first annual golf tournament hosted by Wachesaw Plantation Club. The tournament was an overwhelming success for the abused and abandoned pets cared for at the 501(c) 3 non-profit shelter which is 100 percent volunteer (no salaries are paid to anyone, not even to the director).

Thank you to Wachesaw Plantation Club. The golfers delighted in playing your private course and envied how golf is “really” played from exhibits by the Coastal Carolina University men’s golf team. Mr. Terrell, what a team! Talent, professionalism, manners and commendable grades.

Thank you to First Palmetto Insurance and 212-degree Carpet Solutions, our top dog sponsors who made this tournament possible. Thank you to Ed Piotrowski and WPDE-TV, our faithful friend and media sponsor, and Grand Strand Nissan for offering the convertible for a hole-in-one contest. Thank you to Dustin Johnson for the signed 2010 Ryder Cup flag from the Newport Wales match, the silent auction item won by Carolyn Bailey, State Farm.

Through the generosity of many businesses, golfers won over $14,000 in prizes. These businesses quietly do so much to benefit the community and its residents. We ask that you support them for the valuable donations they make.

DirectAir, TPC Golf, Azalea Sands, Barefoot Resort, Caledonia Golf, Eagle Nest, Glen Dornoch, Heather Glen, Bistro 90, Family Kingdom, Abuelos, The Reserve Club, Phillips Seafood, Noah’s Art Gallery, ProfessioNails, T-Bonz, ABC Seamless, Brookgreen Gardens, Creek Ratz, Grand 14 Cinemas, Kings Street Grille, PF Chang’s, Alligator Adventure, Fire Island Grill, Divine Dining Group, Huffman Helicopters, Outback Steakhouse, Championship Golf, DreamScapes Massage, Costco, Laureens Family Hair Salon, Nacho Hippos Cantina, Myria Moran-Echeandia, Fresh Market, White Harvest, Carolina Winery, Horst Gasthaus, Hooters, Steve Dresser Golf Academy, Dead Dog Saloon, Heron Point, Wits End Productions, Indio Creek Golf, International Golf Club, Chesapeake House, Greg Normans, Bliss Restaurant, Hard Rock Cafe, Applebee’s, Flying Fish, House of Blues, Legends, Man-o-War, Wachesaw East, Possum Trot Golf, Phillips Seafood, Dolce Lusso Salon, Texas Roadhouse Grill, River Oaks Golf, Freedom Boat Club, Austin's Ocean One, Palace Theater, Adventure Cruises, The Reserve Golf Club, The Wizard, The Witch, 21 Main Restaurant, Joe's Crab Shack, Myrtle Beach National, TGI Fridays, Travinia Italian Kitchen, Pampered Paws, Captain Shane's "Side Kick" shark fishing, Wicked Stick, True Blue, Wendys, Tupelo Bay, Fibbers on the Water, Midtown Bistro, Gordon Biersch, California Dreaming, Drunken Jacks, Dr. Jaimey Duffy, Pat Pahmeier, Alabama Theater, Burning Ridge Golf Club, The Founders Club, David Parks, Jr. CPA, Ripley's Aquarium, Carolina Opry, Franks Entertainment, Atlantic Stage, Tradition Golf, Pam Hoboken, Backyard Bird, Prestwick Golf, Blackmoor Golf, State Farm Insurance, South Atlantic Bank, Lowcountry Insurance, BNC Bank, Gershons Deli, Boundaryline Appraisals, Brenda Varnum, T-Bones, On-the-Half Shell, Doug Proctor, Mandy Dunlap, Waccamaw Insurance Services, Pet Galley, Berry Financial Group, Beehive Consignment, Glenns Bay Dental, Reliable Appraisal Services, Marty Corley, The Bellamy Law Firm, Golden Egg, Coastal Urgent Care, Akers Discount Golf, Mr. and Mrs. Kepenis, Rob's Tree Care, Coastline Pet Supply, Jaws Resort, Benchmark Management, Ron Boykin, Laura Garlitz, Day Spa at Wachesaw, Sparks Toyota, Traci Miles, Coastal Appraisal Services, and Anne Rogers who also custom decorated the much-talked about cat and dog cookies which "sweetened" the doggie bag lunches.

Wachesaw Plantation Club will host the shelter’s second annual tournament in October 2012. WPDE-TV will continue as the tournament's media sponsor and Grand Strand Nissan will again offer a spectacular car. Please check our website for updates, www.coastalanimalrescue.org.

On behalf of those "who cannot speak for themselves", we are deeply thankful and wish each of you a happy Thanksgiving.

The writer lives in Murrells Inlet.