ROCKPORT — PAWS Animal Adoption Center held one of its largest annual fundraisers Friday, Aug. 14 at the Goose River Golf Club in Rockport.

The event, dubbed Fore PAWS Golf Tournament & Golf Ball Drop, raised over $20,000. PAWS, like many local nonprofits, has been hit hard by COVID-19 after having to cancel many events.

A total of 13 teams of four registered to participate, competing in a shotgun-style 18-hole golf tournament.

The winner overall was a team that called themselves "Off Leash", consisting of Geoffrey James, Rick Brace, Michael Forcillo, and Kristin Nelson.

The afternoon concluded with the event's signature Golf Ball Drop, where 1,000 numbered golf balls were dropped from a 50-foot lift.

The ball landing closest to the designated flag belonged to Sandy Cox, who won the $1,000 grand prize. The second prize of $500 was won by Kim Milton.

This year’s Fore PAWS Golf Tournament & Golf Ball Drop was made possible by presenting sponsor Rockport Automotive, Camden Hills Dentistry, Fuller Chevy/GMC, North Atlantic Painting Company, January Peavey State Farm, 2A Architects, Ballou & Associates, Graffam Bros. Seafood, Front Street Shipyard, Penbay Estate Planning Law Center, and the many tee sponsors.

PAWS would also like to thank Goose River Golf Course for allowing the use of their facility and offering to donate $250 for every eagle achieved during the tournament, which resulted in more than $2,000 donated to the animals at PAWS by the end of the day.

Established in 1974, the mission of PAWS Animal Adoption Center is to provide care for homeless dogs and cats until they can be placed in permanent, responsible homes, while promoting humane values in our community through outreach and educational programs.