January 18, 2025

By: Jade Garrett – SPCA Albrecht Center Events & Fundraising Manager

The SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare is calling all golf enthusiasts and animal lovers to hit the greens for a great cause. The annual Playing for Paws Golf Tournament returns this spring, giving participants the chance to enjoy a day of friendly competition while supporting life saving efforts for homeless pets.

This year’s tournament takes place at Woodside Country Club on March 23, 2026.

18-Hole Scramble – $125 per player or $500 per team | Check-in at 10:30 a.m. | Shotgun start at noon

Participants can register individually or as a team, with all proceeds benefiting the SPCA Albrecht Center’s shelter animals. To sign up or ask questions, visit LetLoveLive.org/Golf or email [email protected] or call 803-648-6863 ext. 108.

Every putt, drive and swing at the Playing for Paws tournament directly supports the care of animals in need. In 2025, the SPCA Albrecht Center set a record with 1,305 adoptions, but that achievement wouldn’t have been possible without community support. Funds raised from this event help cover the costs of sheltering, feeding and providing medical care for hundreds of animals each year.

Providing quality care for homeless pets comes with significant costs. Every animal that enters the shelter requires food, medical attention, and a safe, comfortable environment until they find a home. On average, it costs over $700 to care for just one animal to cover expenses like spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, and daily essentials. The proceeds from the Playing for Paws tournament make a direct impact by ensuring these animals receive the care they deserve.

As shelters across the nation face overcrowding, this tournament plays a crucial role in ensuring the SPCA Albrecht Center can continue to take in, care for, and find homes for pets in need. The more resources available, the more lives that can be saved.

The impact of this tournament is written in the stories of pets who have found their forever homes after long shelter stays. Lars spent just one week short of 5 years in the shelter before his forever family found him. Oliver waited almost 3 years before finding his perfect match. Even Roly Poly, a quirky and peculiar cat got his happy ending this year as well.

For these animals, a long or short stay in a shelter can be stressful. Your support and participation in Playing for Paws helps ensure that more pets like them won’t have to wait years to find their forever homes.

Whether you’re an experienced golfer or just looking for a fun way to support a worthy cause, the Playing for Paws Golf Tournament is the perfect opportunity. Players will enjoy a scenic course, a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, and the satisfaction of knowing they’re making a difference in the lives of homeless animals.

Participants will also enjoy delicious meals throughout the event! Lunch will be provided courtesy of our sponsors at Chick-fil-A, and the awards ceremony will feature catered meals for attendees. After an exciting day on the course, winners will be celebrated with tournament prizes, raffle prizes.

Not a golfer? You can still help. Sponsorships and donations play a huge role in making this event a success. Businesses and individuals looking to support the SPCA Albrecht Center can contribute by sponsoring a hole, donating raffle prizes, or simply making a direct donation to the shelter’s lifesaving programs.

Mark your calendars for March 23rd, gather your team and get ready to swing for a cause!

For more information and to register, visit LetLoveLive.org/Golf, email [email protected] or call 803-648-6863 ext. 108.

Jade Garrett is the Events & Fundraising Manager for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She is a seasoned marketing professional who found her way to the SPCA Albrecht Center in the fall of 2023. With a lifelong passion for animal welfare, she is excited to continue making a difference in the lives of homeless animals in our community for many years to come.