Passion for the cause drives success
We realize that our efforts cannot even be compared to what women face when they hear the words ... ‘you have cancer.’
Eleanor Rudd, of Southside Golf Course in Manitoba, speaks fondly of her experience as a Golf Fore the Cure site coordinator. “It’s fun and inspiring and a wonderful opportunity to do something good for others. You get to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones and have a good time golfing and raising money for a cause that is dear to so many women. It’s a lot of work to plan and run an event, but Golf Canada makes it easy by providing all the tools you need to be successful.”
Southside’s involvement in Golf Fore the Cure grew out of the popularity and success of their Ladies Open Golf Tournament. In their quest to add purpose to the event, the women found a natural, yet unfortunate, fit with Golf Fore the Cure. The club’s Director of Golf, Tracy Kibsey, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2004. She underwent a progressive mastectomy and endured many months of chemotherapy, radiation and various drug therapies. Today, Tracy is back doing the things she loves as a triumphant breast cancer survivor. Last year, the club celebrated Tracy’s 10th year of survivorship.
Since their very first Golf Fore the Cure event in 2009, Southside Golf Course has raised over $54,000 to support the Society’s mission work in Manitoba. This is attributable in a big way to the detailed planning that goes into each year’s event.
“We have leadership and dedication at every level on our planning committee,” says Eleanor. “We plan each year’s theme a year in advance. Above all, we have a passion for the cause – a passion that has seen our event grow to the point where we have a waiting list for golfers and volunteers every year. We make the event fun and with purpose and encourage friendly competition to keep the women engaged in the sport.”
While the women are driven to make a difference in the fight against cancer, Eleanor is quick to add, “we realize that our efforts cannot even be compared to what women face when they hear the words ... ‘you have cancer.’ ”
