Female golfers raise $220,000 in support of breast cancer research

Susan Drodge, Canadian Cancer Society; Kathy Anderson, breast cancer survivor and event participatant; Jeff Thompson, managing director RCGA women's division, celebrate the success of the golf tournament that raised $220,000.

Female golfers from across the country hit the links Sept. 18 at Caledon Country Club to celebrate the success of the Golf Fore The Cure program, which is on par to raise $220,000 this season in support of breast cancer research and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) women's division, Golf Fore The Cure is a turn-key participation and fund-raising program in which golf clubs across the country can take part with participants encouraged to fund-raise in support the worthy cause. The end goal is to promote female participation in the game of golf while raising funds to help battle breast cancer.

The RCGA hosts a oneday national golf tournament in a scramble format to celebrate the success of the season and its fund-raising efforts. This one-day event recognizes supporters, sponsors and top fundraisers from all aspects of the program.

"This year continues to be another great year for the Golf Fore The Cure program," said Jeff Thompson, managing director of the RCGA women's division. "I am proud it appears we will once again be able to announce steady growth in terms of women's participation and our contribution to breast cancer research."

With events still taking place, the 2006 season is on pace to include more than 100 community and club Golf Fore The Cure events held across the country, a corporate tournament coordinated by partner Women of Influence luncheon series as well as the final national event.

At the Sept. 18 event, RCGA officials made a cheque presentation to the Canadian Cancer Society for $220,000, topping last year's donation by $35,000.

In its fourth season, Golf Fore The Cure has raised in excess of $600,000 for breast cancer research and organizers believe it is just the beginning.

The optimistic goal of the program is to see every golf club in Canada host an event and raise $1,000 through the pledge program, translating into an annual contribution of over $1.6 million.

Despite a constant rainfall throughout play that Monday near Inglewood, several teams remained on the course to try and capture first place honours. The team of Arlene Yee, Darlene Homonko, Gail Morris and Norma Graham finished third at three-under-par 69. The team of Anna Poste,

Kathy MacDonald, Joan Hulmston and Kathy Pilkey tied for first with the team of Marlene Steeves, Joanne Kearney, Venise Moore and Pauline Springer with team total, four-under-par 68s.

For more information or to learn about how you can get involved in Golf Fore The Cure visit www.golfforethecure.ca.

The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing close to 400,000 members at more than 1,550 clubs across the country. Some of the RCGA's core services include the Rules of Golf, handicapping and course rating, support of turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum and CN Future Links, Canada's national junior golf program. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada's most prestigious golf

championships. The Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women's Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while six regional junior championships, 10 national amateur championships and the CN Canadian Women's Tour showcase the best of Canadian golf. For more information please visit www.rcga.org.