HELENA — For the ninth consecutive year, Montanans gathered on the golf course to support Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

A record-breaking 216 golfers, organized into 72 teams of three, participated in the fundraising tournament, making it Montana’s largest annual golf tournament fundraiser.

“If it wasn’t for veterans, you and I wouldn’t be standing here today doing this,” remarked Dan McGowan, the tournament’s coordinator. “And it’s just my way to pay it forward because they’ve given us the freedom we have. And that’s worth something, man.”

Over its nine-year history, the tournament has raised approximately $700,000 in support of the Montana department of DAV.

“I’ve been to other events, and by far this is the most overwhelming support that I see,” stated Dan Contreras, DAV’s national senior vice commander. “And of course, as far as the contributions, they are enormous. And it says a lot about this community.”

The funds raised from the tournament support various services for disabled veterans in Montana, with a significant portion sustaining DAV’s transportation program.

“Especially the transportation program,” McGowan noted, “where they put over a million miles a year on 60 vans delivering veterans all over the state of Montana to their medical appointments.”

Contreras emphasized the growing needs of disabled veterans.

“We can enhance those needs because veterans are an aging population,” said Contreras. “And you’re going to find that more and more need is there. And the call is not only for those dollars but for those hours.”

Both McGowan and Contreras acknowledged that the tournament’s success is due to the community’s strong support.

“I want to say thank you to every community partner, to every business, to every golfer, to every community volunteer that helped put this tournament on,” expressed McGowan. “Because that’s why it’s the success [that it is].”