The number of horse trailers around town has begun to double as cowboys from near and far converge upon Oakdale to participate in the 59th Annual Oakdale Rodeo, an event that officially kicks off the PRCA season. And while many may be awaiting the results of the finals, hosted on Sunday, April 11, there is another group equally excited for the day after events.
On Monday, April 12 just a stone’s throw away from the rodeo grounds another competition is set to go down. Cinch Jeans and Shirts has united with organizers Lana Casey and Kim and Mike Bacigalupi to sponsor the “Cowboy Capital of the World” Golf Tournament. Proceeds from the event will benefit non–profit organizations Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund and Western Wishes.
“We used to do this years ago,” Kim Bacigalupi said of the day after event. “This is the Cowboy Capital of the World and we thought we should do something for the cowboys.”
An entry fee of $135 includes golf in a four-person scramble format, cart, balls and lunch at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club. Dinner will be served later in the day at Bachi’s Family Restaurant. Check-in is at 10 a.m., lunch at 11 a.m. and a shotgun start at high noon.
According to Casey the group has set a goal of 35 teams and has registered 28 to date.
“The only requirement is that they must have a PRCA cowboy on their team,” Casey said.
PRCA cowboys from past and present have lined up to take on the course post-rodeo weekend. Saddle bronc rider, Taos Muncy, and steer wrestlers Luke Branquinho and Travis Cadwell have all committed to take to the green, as have Jerold Camarillo, Jack Rudy, Jim Charles and Ace Berry.
“He’s just like the best word of mouth,” Casey said of Berry’s support.
As the roster of cowboys and teams continues to fill, Casey shared, “We’re not going to turn anybody away. If we are filled up we’ll let people shadow a team.”
According to the organizer the two non-profits the group chose are each equally respected by the cowboy community.
“Many of these cowboys have benefited from the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund,” Casey stated. “It’s a brotherhood.
“Everybody believes in these organizations. They’re all giving back.”
Casey stated that a number of the cowboys also know Donnalyn Quintana, the founder of Western Wishes. Celebrating its 15th year as a non-profit, the organization’s mission statement states: “Dedicated to children and young adults faced with adversity who live and appreciate the western way of life. Western Wishes recognizes that chosen recipients can inspire others with similar conditions to find hope and strength to make the best of their situation.”
“They don’t just grant wishes to terminally ill kids,” Casey said, indicating that often times the wish might be to meet a country music star or attend a horse clinic or meet a PRCA cowboy.
“The more events we have, the more wishes we can grant to the kids,” she said.
Casey expressed her gratitude not only to the pro rodeo cowboys, but to the sponsors of the event as well, namely Cinch Jeans and Shirts.
“What a great cause to be behind,” she said of everyone’s involvement. “It’s just a win-win for everyone.
“The Country Club has also been great and generous,” she added of the venue support. “They’ve really worked with us and have been very helpful.”
“I’m glad to get it back,” Rodeo Hall of Famer Ace Berry said of the upcoming tournament. “We had it years ago and now there’s a lot more golfers. They’re getting a lot more members out here that are cowboys.”
“It just brings back the partnership between the rodeo and Oakdale Golf and Country Club,” OGCC General Manager Rick Schultz stated. “Both have been around for a long time and play a vital role in this city.”
Bill Kull, President of OGCC agreed with Schultz, adding, “This community offers a lot of support to a lot of non-profits. This is just another great way that the community can step up and contribute even more.”
“Our members are already the heads of so many of those organizations,” Schultz said of the non-profits and local fundraising efforts. “They’re already helping and at the Country Club we try to support them in any way we can.”
For additional information on the Golf Tournament contact Lana Casey at 535-3950 or Mike Bacigalupi at 613-2288.
