Golfers Against Cancer Tournament & Gala Becoming A Houston Tradition

HOUSTON, TX, October, 2002 — Since its inaugural year of 1997 the Golfers Against Cancer have had one goal in mind — to raise money for cancer research. What began as a modest fund-raiser to honor the late Dave Roberts, has become a Houston tradition. The sixth annual Golfers Against Cancer Tournament (GAC) will be held on Monday, November 25 at the Deerwood Golf Club and Kingwood Country Club courses in Kingwood, Texas. The tournament raised well over $900,000 for cancer research last year and expects to exceed the one million dollar mark this year.

Tournament Co-Founder Pat Weston says in order to increase both the scope and dollars raised, the GAC is expanding to other parts of the country. Golf Clubs from a number of cities are taking the successful blueprint developed by the Houston GAC and using it as a model to create their own golf tournament fundraisers.

Columbus, Ohio held their first ever tournament this year and proceeds are expected to top $30,000, according to Weston. "Plans are also in the works to kick off a tournament in Rochester, NY next June and dates are being discussed for a similar event next year in Tampa, Florida," he says. To extend the GAC concept even further, board member Sally Roberts, wife of the late Dave Roberts, recently visited the Rosemere Golf Club in Lancashire, England. Rosemere learned about the GAC through the web site and invited Sally to attend the Rosemere for Cancer Research Golf Tournament and Gala. Sally is hopeful this relationship may help introduce other potential organizers in Europe to the GAC.

To take the GAC message beyond the fairways, tournament Co-Founder Bobby Jones helped organize a GAC fund-raising dinner held at the New York Athletic Club in New York City. This GAC event raised $165,000 and proceeds have been designated for the Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute of New York and other GAC supported research venues.

History
The idea for the tournament was conceived in the mid-nineties when Deerwood member Dave Roberts was diagnosed with cancer. That same year, Mike Longpré, golf professional at the Deerwood Club, was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Weston, Jones and several others got together and created the GAC because they wanted to do something in honor of Dave and Mike. The first year they raised $80,000 and they've increased the contribution every year since. Dave Roberts lost his battle with cancer in 1998 but his legacy continues through the dedicated efforts of the Golfers Against Cancer.

The GAC, which is a non-profit organization that contributes all of the proceeds of their tournament to cancer research, lists several cancer research beneficiaries. Sally Roberts says past contributions have gone to The Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research, CapCURE the Association for the Cure of Cancer of the Prostate, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and several research projects at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Weston credits much of the GAC's success to leading sponsors and the Houston Golf Association. "We couldn't do this without the help of Continental Airlines, Houston BMW Group, and Technip-Coflexip, all Diamond sponsors," according to Weston. "And Burt Darden and Rene Elliott of the HGA are indispensable in helping with implementation and tournament logistics," he continues.

The tournament selects a Special Honoree each year. In 1997 it was local golf pro Mike Longpré, in '98 Dave Roberts, in 1999 the GAC honored Senior Touring Pro Jim Ferree, Max Mountjoy was honored in 2000 and the Honorable George H. Bush was the Special Honoree for 2001.

Weston says Houston area golfers should mark their calendars for the November 25th event. In addition to the tournament, there is a Saturday night gala at the Humble Civic Center which hosts silent and live auctions. The GAC's Ardy Weston says attendees can bid on such items as original art work from pop artist Peter Max to luxury cruises and trips to destinations around the world. It's an auction like no other.

An instructional clinic is put on for tournament participants by the LPGA on Sunday. It's a special feature of the event where a Ladies' Golf Clinic, hosted by LPGA Pro Susie Redman-Parry, is put on for the general public at the Kingwood Country Club Forest Course. And for diamond and platinum sponsors there is a pro-celebrity Sunday event held on the Forest Course. Golfers may sign up individually or as a team. Corporate sponsorship packages are available at the bronze, silver, gold, platinum, and diamond levels.

GAC board members want to remind everyone that there are many ways they can help in the search for the cure for cancer in addition to playing in the golf tournament. Come to the gala. Tickets can be purchased by non-golfers. Buy a brick ­ the GAC set up what they call a "Wall of Life" at the Deerwood Club where contributors are acknowledged by having their name, or a loved one's name, engraved on a brick when a donation of $150 is made. Other ways to help -- make a donation or volunteer. The GAC will welcome whatever efforts or donations supporters wish to contribute.

For more information on the tournament or on other ways you can help support this cause, contact the GAC web site: www.golfersagainstcancer.org or call the Houston Golf Association at 281-367-7999.