With fall weather setting in a day early, there was little to slow turnout for the Dawsonville Lions Club's 19th annual golf tournament.

The club's largest fundraiser, the event was held Monday at the Crystal Falls Golf Club.

"This year, we had 120 golfers. We can only handle what the course will handle," said Don Cargill, Lion's Club president. "We maxed out last year and we did it again this year."

The tournament raises funds through entry fees, donations and silent auctions.

The local club was founded in 1953 by a small group of residents who embraced the Lions' philosophy and shared the desire to give something back to the community in which they lived.

According to the club, its mission is to "create and foster a spirit of understanding among all members for humanitarian needs. This is achieved by providing financial support and voluntary services to citizens and organizations of Dawson County in need of charitable endeavors."

Those include awarding college scholarships, conducting eye glass drives and eye exams and providing glasses to those in need.

"We do a lot with scholarship and vision, getting glasses to people that need them," said Bill Leonhardt, a club member. "We give away 100 percent of what we take in. Nothing we raise is used for expenses. Everything is given back to the county."

The club also collects glasses and hearing aids to send to those in need.

Last year's tournament raised nearly $29,000. As of midday Monday, the club had collected $27,000 before the silent auctions. Cargill expected it to be more than $30,000 this year after everything had been counted.

"We supply glasses and medical exams to anybody in Dawson County that needs glasses and cannot afford it. That's our major function," he said.

Last year, the club used those funds to provide 53 residents with hearing aids, eye exams and glasses and scholarships.