Deerwood Pro Instrumental In GAC's Founding
Mike Longpré Loses Battle With Cancer At 36

Mike Longpré, Deerwood golf professional and an inspiration behind the efforts of the Golfers Against Cancer, passed away September 27 of brain cancer. Longpré and the late Dave Roberts, who was lost to cancer in 1998, were the reason the GAC was founded in 1997. Ironically, both Longpré and Roberts were diagnosed with cancer that same year. And it was Longpré and Roberts that inspired a group of fellow Deerwood golfers to create the Golfers Against Cancer, dedicated solely to raising money for finding a cure for this dreaded disease. What began as a modest success in 1997 has grown into one of the major fundraisers in the country in seven short years, honoring Roberts and Longpré, whose names will now be forged to this event as long as it is held.

Longpré was a member of the Board of Directors for the GAC. Both he and wife Sarah have been instrumental in making this organization a success. Sarah asks that in honor of Mike, donations be made to the Golfers Against Cancer in care of the Houston Golf Association, 5810 Wilson Rd., Suite 112, Humble, Texas 77369.

Mike's loss makes it imperative that the efforts of the GAC remain as focused as ever, according to Bobby Jones, founding chairman of Golfers Against Cancer. He emphasized that through continued research some day a cure will be found.

Unlike many other fund-raising groups, this organization directs all of the funds generated from the annual golf tournament and gala directly to cancer research, Jones points out.

"The GAC is an all-volunteer organization that has donated nearly $4 million dollars in direct and matching funds since 1997. And last year was our biggest year ever with $1.2 million donated. The proceeds go to support such research efforts as The Stehlin Foundation, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine and M.D. Anderson," he says.

November Dates Set
The dates are set for this year's tournament and fund-raising dinner and auction. The GAC will hold a VIP tournament on Sunday, November 23 for Diamond and Platinum sponsors and the major tournament will take place on Monday, November 24 on Deerwood Golf Club and all four courses at Kingwood Country Club. Sunday's VIP event will be at Deerwood.

The GAC dinner as well as a live and silent auction will be held at the Humble Civic Center on Saturday. Last year 800 people attended the dinner. The auction is like no other where participants can bid on everything from original and limited edition artwork to exotic trips around the world.

Beginning in 2002 the Golfers Against Cancer expanded their efforts to New York where a major fund-raising dinner is held annually at the New York Athletic Club in September.

Through the efforts of presenting sponsor Continental Airlines, several LPGA pros take part in instructional clinics as well as the tournaments. And Houston BMW donates an automobile that is raffled off and presented at the Saturday evening dinner and auction.

Learn more about the tournament, its history, and what you can do to support the Golfers Against Cancer by going to their web site at www.golfersagainstcancer.org or contact the Houston Golf Association at 281-454-7000. Both individual sign-ups as well as corporate sponsorships are available.