Lacombe Generals are back in town for their largest fundraiser of the year.

Happening as we speak, 33 teams have taken to the Lacombe Golf and Country Club for the 12th Annual Lacombe Generals Golf Tournament.

General Manager of Gens Jeff McInnis said it’s an exciting time of year.

“This tournament is a big day every year. It takes a lot of prep, but it kicks off the season and that first thing together. The players love it and I think some of the corporate teams love it because they get to meet the players.”

He adds the tournament is crucial heading into the season.

“It can range from $20,000 to $50,000 (in fundraising). It gets us started. I used to say the golf tournament will get us to Christmas, the crowd will get us to March and if we do make the Allan Cup we’re probably in trouble,” laughed McInnis.

“It’s just a great day.”

Having a relationship with Lacombe Golf and Country Club for the last 12 years, McInnis said the team has been extremely blessed.

“You’d like to do more and find a way to express your gratitude to these people who believe in you, but I believe that it’s a two-way street. They enjoy our club existing and surviving and we do pretty well.”

“We win a lot of hockey games and I think we make them proud by being a winning team.”

Generals kick off the regular season in Stony Plain on Oct. 14 and back for their home-opener on Oct. 21.