MOSES LAKE — Now going into its ninth year, Ag World Support Systems has been raising money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest through its annual Golf Classic.

The tournament has made its yearly return, beginning Tuesday in Kennewick and continuing on Thursday in Moses Lake.

“It came from a vision my dad had,” Ag World President and CEO Bryan Henninger said of the golf event. “He and I attended a golf event in Manitoba, Canada that the agriculture community did that supported the Ronald McDonald House in Manitoba. And he was like, ‘That would be really cool to bring back to the Columbia Basin, and do the same type of thing to support the Ronald McDonald House in Spokane.’”

Ag World Support Systems was born in the Basin, serving the needs of local farmers through private, third-party inspection. The company was started by Warren Henninger, a native of Pennsylvania, moved out west to pursue a career in the potato industry.

“[Warren] kept saying ‘Someone should get into that line of work,’” Ag World Ambassador and Chaplain Judy Henninger said, “Because he felt that there was a great need [for third-party inspections].”

Since its founding in June of 1997, the company has spread to Idaho, Maine, North Dakota, Oregon, Wisconsin, and internationally in Manitoba, Canada and Shangdu, China.

After attending a similar event in Canada, the Henningers began the creation of their own charity-focused golf tournament, and the Ag World Support Systems Golf Classic was born. The idea was sparked from Bryan’s son facing medical challenges at a young age, receiving care at the Ronald McDonald House in Spokane. Warren and his son Bryan decided that they wanted to give back to the Ronald McDonald House for the services they provided to their own and other families.

“I remember when my son was in ICU, the Ronald McDonald House actually has a little respite area near the ICU in the hospital in Spokane,” Bryan said. “And I remember going in there and getting drinks and little snacks and just relaxing a little bit in the middle of the chaos. And so it was from then that dad kind of said, ‘Hey, Brian, let's do this thing.’ And we did it.”

The Ronald McDonald House is an organization that hosts families during the hospitalization of their children. The organization began in 1974 in Philadelphia and has since spread worldwide.

“So the house, just as beyond a room, they provide space for families to support one another,” Judy said.

Going on its ninth year now, the Golf Classic has raised nearly $640,000 for the Ronald McDonald House in Spokane. They saw increases in money raised each year from 2014-19, including crossing the $100,000 line for the first time in 2019. The event saw a slight decrease in money raised in 2020 due to the pandemic but still raised over $90,000 that year before bouncing back and raising over $118,000 in 2021. This year, Ag World hopes to cross the $100,000 threshold again.

“We'd love to reach $100,000,” Ag World Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer Melanie Finch said. “I think Bryan mentioned we're probably around [$80,000]. So, we're still hoping for some generous donations to come in and sponsors and so forth.”

Since Warren’s passing in 2020, the Henningers and AgWorld continue to put on the event in their founder’s legacy.

“We are so grateful to continue the legacy of our dad and our founder, both of the Golf Classic and in Ag World through that golf tournament,” Finch said. “We're super grateful. This was his labor of love, as he used to say.”

Those interested in donating beyond golf can participate in the company’s charity auction, where resort trips, hotel stays, wine and more are available. Finch said this is a great way to contribute to the cause for those who do not play golf.

“That's kind of another fun way if someone wants to give, but they're like, ‘I don't really golf, or I don't really want to sponsor,’ but they'd like to be able to participate,” Finch said.

The event begins on Tuesday at the Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick. It will make its way to The Links at Moses Pointe in Moses Lake on Thursday. There is still availability in Moses Lake, and those may continue to sponsor the event by donating at https://agworldgolf.com/register/. Joining Ag World in hosting this year’s Golf Classic is Simplot, Lamb Weston, McCain Foods and the Potato Growers of Washington.

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.