Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Grand Sponsor Ed Shults of Warren continues to support the K-9 Choper Memorial Golf Tournament and the Warren County K-9 Program. Pictured (from left) are Chief Warren County Detective Tom Kibbey with K-9 Dina, Scott Ellsworth of Ed Shults, Tournament Committee Member Linda Neiswonger, Sean Ellsworth of Ed Shults, and Conewango Township Police Officer Scott Neiswonger with K-9 Nic.

The K-9 Choper Memorial Golf Tournament continues to be the sole fundraiser for the Warren County Canine Program.

The fifth annual tournament will be held at Blueberry Hill Golf Course on Sunday, July 10.

For the fifth time, Ed Shults of Warren is the Grand Tournament Sponsor.

“We like to support the community and especially law enforcement,” General Manager Sean Ellsworth said.

The tournament itself is full, but there are still opportunities for sponsors.

“We are still accepting sponsors and donors,” Conewango Township Police Officer Scott Neiswonger said. “There are always expenses – training, equipment.”

Major sponsors, hole sponsors, basket raffle donations, and sponsorships for hole prizes are welcome.

Every sponsorship dollar and donation goes directly to the K-9 program.

Those interested in getting involved may contact Tournament Organizer Karen Sobkowski at (814) 779-8413.

Both K-9 Nic, with Neiswonger at Conewango Township, and K-9 Dina, with Chief Warren County Detective Tom Kibbey, are five years old and have several years of service to go before retirement.

Previous tournaments have enabled the departments to acquire and train those dogs, train the officers, and provide everything from basic equipment to specialized vehicles.

“This is the only fundraiser we do for the dogs,” Neiswonger said. “It’s been a huge success.”

They are hoping to follow up a big year with an even bigger one.

“We had a fantastic tournament last year,” he said. “We’re hopefully going to beat that this year.”

“I’m very grateful to everybody,” Neiswonger said. “Everybody’s been wonderful every year.”