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Rodeo Cowboys Take To The Green For 10th Year
Cowboy Golf

There’s a different sort of ‘Round-Up’ set to take place on Monday, April 15 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club and there won’t be a shortage of cowboys.

As many might hitch their trailers and begin to mosey off to the next stop, others will opt to stay one more day (or two) in the Cowboy Capital after the weekend’s PRCA rodeo and participate in the Tenth Annual Jim Charles Memorial Golf Tournament. Tee time for the annual event is set for high noon, with a complimentary Gold Card round of Closest to the Hole leading the event at 11:30 a.m.

According to event co-chair Lana Casey, the Gold Card round draws quite a crowd, as participants look on to see who the lucky duo will be each year. Casey co-chairs the annual event with Ken Paddock and Mike Bacigalupi.

The rodeo festivities for the local business owner and rodeo enthusiast, however, begin long before the weekend. As the owner of Lana’s Spur of the Moment boutique in the center of Oakdale, Casey kicks off rodeo week by hosting an open house event at her shop each year the Thursday before Oakdale’s Annual Rodeo Week.

“I’ve always done this, because nobody does,” Casey said of her shop event. “But I have a western store, so I’m going to do something anyway.”

Passionate about her business, as well as the western way of life, Casey noted the importance of the Oakdale Rodeo and its kick off to the PRCA ‘six pack’ of West Coast rodeos. An avid fundraiser as well as hostess, Casey’s passions seemingly come together over the course of the week and a half following her kick off event.

From an annual breakfast, to the Diva luncheon she hosts each year midweek to all the rodeo events which fall in between, Casey keeps hoppin’. Yet amidst it all, she shared her eyes remain focused on the tournament and making sure everyone leaves town on a high note.

“When it’s done we come back to the H-B for a big steak dinner, which is included in the price,” she said of the day’s event. “We have a huge live auction, a raffle and we award the buckles to the first place team.”

Much like the buckles in rodeo, the golf buckle is coveted by participants.

“It’s a scramble,” Casey explained of the annual Golf Tournament. “Each team must have a PRCA or CCA Cowboy or Cowgirl. It’s required of each four member team.”

The organizer shared it’s an event which originally began because of a cowboy inquiring on something to do in town post rodeo and has now grown to accommodate as many as 36 four-person teams and earns a total of $15,000 to $20,000 fundraising dollars each year.

“We get a lot of World Champions that are here getting ready to go to Red Bluff,” she said. “All the proceeds go to the Rodeo Booster Cub for scholarships. Same thing with Diva luncheon (profits), we pick two girls who will win the Diva luncheon scholarships.”

But not all student recipients must be active in rodeo to benefit from the funds raised through the varying group projects.

“We started that for girls that are not necessarily into rodeo,” she said of the Diva Scholarships, “but for girls who do things in the community or in a leadership role.”

Casey shared the events continue to draw not only community support, but sponsor support as well. A fact which requires very little overhead expense for the organizers, leaving more money for scholarship opportunities.

“Who doesn’t want to help kids?” she said. “We’ve got a great community. We raise a lot of money out there and everybody’s already abuzz.”

In summary Casey shared it’s the small town atmosphere, feeling, as well as camaraderie which she feels makes the week and a half so special and memorable.  The generosity, as well as support, continues to make her proud.

“It’s been really good. The community is very good about giving. We’re Cowboy Capital of the World, but sometimes people forget that.”

Persons interested in supporting or participating in the annual event can get additional information by contacting Casey at (209) 535-3950 or via e-mail at lanacasey@gmail.com.