Long after the last divots have been replaced at the Oakmont Country Club, the 2016 U.S. Open will be still be affecting dogs and cats in Butler County.

That’s because the Butler County Humane Society partnered with Ruth’s Chris Steak House to provide the restaurant with volunteers to man its locations at the golf tournament in return for at least a $10,000 donation to the society.

“We had this opportunity that just fell into our laps to provide all the volunteers needed by Ruth’s Chris to run their food stands at the Open,” said Katie Austin, the marketing coordinator for the humane society.

“They identified us as one of the premier shelters in the area. They chose to work with us,” said Austin.

Austin said the society provided more than 160 volunteers to work six- or seven-hour shifts the week of the U.S. Open at two locations at the country club: a location open to gallery members and a more exclusive site called the Trophy Club.

Volunteers rang up orders, worked the grills and put together the steak sandwiches, chicken Caesar wraps and lobster rolls the restaurant was selling to Open spectators.

She added some of the volunteers were longtime shelter volunteers, others were animal lovers and others still were golf enthusiasts drawn by the chance to become a spectator at the event once their shift was done. One volunteer, Dennis Porter, 69, of Wheeling, W.Va., drove from his home each day of the Open to put in a six-hour stint.

“I’m a golf fan. I’m retired,” said Porter. “I went up for five days.”

The retired school custodian said he worked both locations.

“I was wrapping up steaks. They’re real hard to wrap up because they are so big,” Porter said. He estimated he wrapped 800 to 1,000 steaks a day.

He added when he was done with his stint he got to watch golf. He saw pros Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy in practice rounds June 15.

“I got to see some golf but not enough,” Porter said.

“He’s doing it for the golf, but he’s also doing it for the animals. He’s a big animal lover. He’s got three rescue dogs of his own. He’s been a rock star,” said Austin.

Austin said the society rounded up workers by sending out the call for volunteers through fliers, e-mail blasts and word-of-mouth.

“My wife found out about it from one of her nieces. My wife’s sister lives in Butler,” said Porter.

Judy Barkley of Butler, a longtime society volunteer and board member, worked June 13 and 15 at both locations at Oakmont.

She said the one location was near one of the big entrances to the country club and the other — the Trophy Room — was in a more exclusive area that had multiple TVs and places to sit.

Barkley said, “I’m a golf fan. I watched a little, but to be honest, after seven or eight hours it was tiring, but great fun.”

Asked if she saw any famous golfers, Barkley said, “I did get a glimpse of Phil Mickelson.”

The efforts of Barkley and her fellow volunteers will pay off in cash for the humane society, Austin said.

“We will be getting a donation from Ruth’s Chris for providing all the volunteers,” said Austin, adding the donation may be more than $10,000.

It’s money that is needed, Austin added. Late last week the shelter was housing close to 100 cats and at least 22 adoptable dogs.

That’s why even the society’s Executive Director Tyrell Sales manned a grill and put in time, said Austin.

Austin said, “I was there Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I was in charge of the cash register at the Trophy Club and in charge of making sure that everything ran well. I did have experience. I worked in Primanti’s when I was in college at Robert Morris University.”