Golfing for a good cause
Deh Cho ladies hit hard for breast cancer
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, June 18, 2015
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
The day was dreary and the wind was fierce on Saturday but that didn't stop Seven Spruce Golf Course from having its best-to-date turnout for Golf Fore The Cure.
Andrea Mitchell drove the ball on the first hole on Saturday during Seven Spruce Golf Course's Golf Fore The Cure event. Mitchell's powerful drive was one to be reckoned with. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
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Golf Fore The Cure is a cross-Canada event to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.
This year, 12 teams signed up to play the ladies-only event, outstripping last year's 10 teams and creating a new all-time record for the amount of women who came out.
Saturday marked the fifth year in a row that the Tiki Tatas - comprised of golf course manager Laurie Nadia, Andrea Mitchell, Marti Lys and Vanessa Murtsell - tee'd off and prepared for 18 holes.
"Normally, the tournament raises about $5,000 annually. We receive fabulous donations from (the community) and from the Moosehide Mammas (hockey team)," said Nadia, who was previously Moosehide Mammas president.
This was the first year the golf course ran a silent auction, which featured prizes such as trips with Simpson Air and Wolverine Air, as well as handmade goods. Every registered player was required to donate to the silent auction, and bidding was open to the public.
As the only womens-only tournament in Fort Simpson, Nadia said Golf Fore The Cure is growing every year.
"We get amazing community support, and our women donated thousands of dollars," she said.
"It's a fun day for the ladies to be able to come out, with no pressure, no skill needed, and just come and play with other women, bonding for a cause worth giving to."
Players paid $50 apiece and $200 for a team. At the time the tournament began, 44 women were listed as participants, far surpassing last year's 34.
This was the fifth year as well for the Pink Blinks, a team comprised of Kelley Andrews-Klein, Brenda Moreau, Ramona Hardisty-Gilles and Louisa Moreau.
The four leisurely worked their way around the golf course throughout the morning and afternoon.
Despite players requiring no experience to compete, the Pink Blinks are well-versed in golf and proved it with heavy drives and careful putts.
"All of us are avid golfers," Andrews-Klein said.
"This is a good cause and we're happy we can come out and show our support."
