NELIGH, NEB. -- Former high school classmates and community members gathered at the Antelope Country Club in Neligh for the 2nd annual Sydney Loofe Memorial Golf Tournament.

Lesley Flenniken worked at the country club and heard about a similar fundraiser in Omaha.

“Two years ago, I managed the country club here in Neligh and I had heard they had done a tournament in Omaha for Sydney and I just thought it would be nice to be able to give back to our community and do something here for the town that she grew up in," Flenniken said.

Sydney’s mother Susie said raising funds to give back to communities in her daughter’s name is a good thing.

“Last year we gave to the New Moon Theatre restoration," Loofe said. "This year the money will go to the golf course and a new elevator for the Pierson Wildlife Museum. It’s good to be able to give back to our communities.”

Many of Sydney’s former classmates help with the event including Levi Pofahl, an organizer for the event. He said he was approached by the Loofe family to see if the class wanted to do something in memory of Sydney.

“I was a classmate of Sydney’s, graduating from Neligh-Oakdale here," Pofahl said. "So, Lesley reached out and asked if, as a class, we would be willing to help out and organize it. We have a lot of classmates that play in the tournament as well as donate money for [golf] hole sponsors and prizes, or volunteer their time out here today.”

Pofahl said the fundraiser is able to get funds from local businesses to sponsor holes, gift raffle prizes, or pin prizes.

Despite the heat on Saturday, 21 teams signed up for the tournament.

Susie has enjoyed seeing the support from the community and is happy to give back.

“We can’t explain how much it means to us because it just continues," Loofe said. "People are so willing to support the community and give back to the community and we appreciate that.”

Susie said another golf memorial tournament in her daughter's honor is happening in Omaha at the Miracle Hill Golf and Tennis Center on Saturday, Aug. 26.