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As Golfers Against Cancer grows, we find we have more and more news to share with you. We have organized the news around the organization and events we are hosting in the GAC News section of this site, while providing additional information about the beneficiaries of your efforts in supporting GAC into the Beneficiearies News area. Don't forget to check out our Newsletter online. Soon you will be able to sign up for our e-newsletter. Keep checking the site for the latest updates and how your efforts are helping us find a cure for cancer. 2009 Press Release
Golfers Against Cancer & Continental Airlines Announce November 23rd for This Year’s Tournament Kingwood, GAC Chairman Bobby Jones encourages all area golfers to register now for the event. “We’re celebrating our 13th year and the goal for this event remains constant – raising money for cancer research,” says Jones. “Thanks to the hard work of all of our volunteers and the support of our sponsors, the GAC has raised more than $18 million in total contributions and matching funds generated by the Kingwood tournament along with related GAC tournaments and dinners across the country. All money goes directly to fund worthy cancer research projects at leading institutions, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Methodist Hospitall, Christus Stehlin Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine.” The GAC tournament and gala have become an annual tradition for many area golfers as well as corporate participants led by the presenting sponsor Continental Airlines. The gala, which is held the Saturday night before the tournament, will again be held at the The doors will open Saturday evening, November 21, at 5:00pm. The silent auction is always a favorite with hundreds of travel and gift packages, sports memorabilia, and art -more- pieces to bid on. After dinner, a live auction will be held featuring the comedic wit of O’Hurley offering first class travel packages to destinations around the world and a brand new BMW courtesy of Houston BMW dealers. On Sunday, November 22, a special VIP tournament will be held for Diamond, Platinum and ProAm $5K club level sponsors and their guests. Celebrities, local STPGA pros and LPGA pros participate with their assigned teams for this premier event which begins at 11:00am. Monday’s Big Event The major tournament kicks off with a shotgun start on Monday, November 23, at 10:00am. The event historically has fielded well over 500 golfers who participate on all five Clubs of Kingwood courses including the Deerwood Club. Players will also enjoy an early dinner of sizzling steaks after play, complements of the Humble Outback Steakhouse and Board supporter Rod Felts. Award prizes are handed out at that time as well. “Three years ago a new element was added to the Kingwood tournament, a special pro tournament within the tournament,” says Bob Spinetti, GAC supporter and board member. “This event is called the Mike Longpre’ ProAm and it’s unique among charitable events. Named after the late Deerwood Golf Professional Mike Longpre’, the event is for area non-touring professionals who field a team for Golfers Against Cancer at the Pro Club Patron level or above,” Spinetti adds. Once the team has registered, the participating pro is automatically signed up for the professional event which offers a total pro purse of $25,000 with $10,000 going to the winner. Golfers interested in participating in the tournament either individually or as a team are encouraged to visit the GAC web site at www.golfersagainstcancer.org. It has all the information on the tournament as well as on-line registration. Or you can call us at 281-348-2280.
Golfers Against Cancer - Editorial Backgrounder Golfers Against Cancer (GAC), a Houston-based 501c (3) organization, recently announced that their fund-raising efforts have reached the $18mm mark through 2008 in support of cancer research. GAC Chairman Bobby Jones says he couldn’t be prouder of an organization he helped found in 1997. From a small golf tournament and dinner that raised $80,000 for cancer research, GAC now has tournaments and fund-raising dinners across the country with the goal of raising two to three million dollars in total each and every year in direct contributions and matching funds. The GAC still holds their premier event in Kingwood, north of Golfers Against Cancer has had one goal in mind since its inaugural year of 1997 – to raise money for cancer research. What began as a modest fund-raiser has become a “We have found open hearts in this all-volunteer effort. Everyone is affected by cancer and the response has been overwhelming. And we are proud that we are really making a difference in funding cancer research,” according to Jones. Now GAC fund raising efforts are held in -more- Golfers Against Cancer – Editorial Backgrounder (Cont.) recently Denver, Colorado Many other charity golf events around the country, including Houston’s own Administaff Small Business Classic on the Champions Tour, have designated GAC as a beneficiary. Anyone interested in starting a GAC event in their city must be serious about the cause, must be a leader and must lead with their wallet, according to Jones. Founders of an event must cover their own hard costs of holding an event, so that 100 percent of others’ contributions go directly to research. Such notables as actor John O’Hurley and CNN Anchor Soledad O’Brien support GAC. O’Hurley, who emcees GAC dinners in History The Golfers Against Cancer tournament was conceived in 1997 when Deerwood member Dave Roberts was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. That same year, Mike Longpre’, a golf professional at the Deerwood Club, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Jones and his golf friends got together and created GAC because they wanted to do something to support and honor Dave and Mike. After raising $80,000 their inaugural year, they’ve increased the contribution every year since. Both Roberts and Longpre’ lost their battles with cancer – Roberts in 1998 and Longpre’ in 2003 – but their legacy continues through the dedicated efforts of the Golfers Against Cancer. Contributions & Beneficiaries GAC contributes virtually all of the proceeds from their tournaments, dinners and other activities to cancer research beneficiaries. According to Jones, GAC has funded 200 research projects since its inception and believes that its grants of more than $18 million have actually led to several hundred million dollars in governmental grants to projects where GAC has been a participant and often the catalyst. GAC seed grants help researchers provide basic research which -more- Golfers Against Cancer – Editorial Backgrounder (Cont.) often then leads to larger governmental grants, clinical trials and, hopefully, FDA approval for new treatments to start saving lives. Sally Roberts, GAC Board Member and wife of the late Dave Roberts, says leading beneficiaries of the Houston event include MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Christus Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research, The Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Prostate Cancer Foundation (formerly CapCURE), and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. GAC meets regularly with researchers and hospital administrators throughout the country to review projects that could have the most impact on saving lives. When GAC provides funding it also establishes milestones so that it can track the progress of each project. Sponsors--Honorees
Jones credits much of GAC’s success to its major sponsors. “We couldn’t do this without the help of our presenting sponsor Continental Airlines as well as the Houston BMW Group,” according to Jones. “And Outback Steakhouse supports our The tournament selects a Special Honoree each year. Past honorees include the Honorable George H. W. Bush, Champions Tour Pro Jim Ferree, Dr. John Stehlin of the Christus Stehlin Foundation, Dave Roberts and the Longpre’ family.
Jones encourages -more- Golfers Against Cancer – Editorial Backgrounder (Cont.) organizers, Everett and Randee Bernal say that both live and silent auctions bring excitement and additional funding for the GAC cause. The Bernals want participants to know they’ll be bidding on such items as artwork from pop artist Peter Max to luxury cruises and trips to destinations around the world. It’s an auction like no other. The gala is held at the The diamond and platinum sponsors enjoy a special 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. Pro Tournament Within A TournamentAn additional feature of the Houston GAC tournament is actually a tournament within a tournament. It’s the Mike Longpre’ Memorial Tournament, a South Texas PGA event offering a $25,000 purse. The tournament is open to PGA pros. A requirement of participation is while playing in the pro event; they bring their own amateur team with them to participate in the charity tournament. 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 or participating in one of the satellite dinners or events. Non-golfers are invited to participate in the Saturday evening gala. Tickets can be purchased separately. Buy a brick – GAC set up their “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. 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 GAC’s administrative office at 281-348-2280. Press: Contact John Dewberry, GAC PR Corey Newsom jhdewberry@kingwoodcable.net coreynewsom@earthlink.net 713-248-4021 cell 713-705-2388 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2008 Tribune Press Release Golfers Against Cancer hold annual tournament and gala Monday, November 03, 2008 Stephen Goff Each year on the Sunday and Monday before Thanksgiving, Golfers Against Cancer organizes a fundraising golf tournament intended to raise funds for cancer research. On the Monday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, the annual tournament and awards will be held. A corporate shootout tournament will be held Nov. 23, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, to recognize the major sponsors. Currently, the organization’s fundraising efforts have approached the $20 million mark. Established in 1997 by members of the Deerwood Country Club in Kingwood, the group’s main objective was to show support for Deerwood Golf Club member Dave Roberts and Deerwood Club golf professional Mike Longpre. That same year, Roberts was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and Longpre was diagnosed with a brain tumor. GAC Chairman Bobby Jones and some of his fellow golf friends created the organization to support and honor Roberts and Longpre. After raising $80,000 their inaugural year, GAC has become nationally known and continues to raise millions of dollars per year for cancer research. GAC Board member John Dewberry has been with the organization since the beginning and plays a vital role in advertising the GAC events and getting the organization known to the public. “Golfers Against Cancer is an independent, self-governing 501(C)3 charitable organization that has grown from a small grassroots effort in Kingwood, to a national organization with affiliated tournaments and dinners for cancer research held across the country,” said Dewberry. One of the biggest achievements the organization is very proud of is the fact that virtually all of the funds raised from the GAC tournaments, dinners and other activities go directly to cancer research. According to Jones, GAC has funded more than 60 research projects since its inception and believes that its grants, which are approaching $20 million, have actually led to more than $100 million in governmental grants to projects where GAC has been a participant and often a catalyst. On Sunday, Nov. 23, the Sponsors Tournament for diamond and platinum level contributors will be played at The Clubs of Kingwood, Deerwood and the Forest Course at 11 a.m. The main tournament on Monday, Nov. 24, will also be held at The Clubs of Kingwood, on all Deerwood and Kingwood courses, beginning at 10 a.m. The Gala on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 22, will include dinner and live and silent auctions. Jones encourages all Houston area golfers to sign up. Every year, the tournament selects an honoree. Past honorees include the former President George H. Bush, Champions Tour Pro Jim Ferree, Dr. John Stehlin of the Stehlin Foundation, the Roberts family and the Longpre family. This year’s 2008 Special Honoree is 6-year-old cancer survivor Kyle Lograsso. He was diagnosed with Bilateral Retinoblastoma at the age of 2. Since January 2005, he has remained cancer free and began developing his golfing skills. Since falling in love with the game of golf, Lograsso has emerged as young phenomenon in the sport. Lograsso represents a strong inspiration to all individuals battling cancer and brings true meaning to the word hero. Another way to help the organization includes making a donation or volunteering. GAC will welcome all efforts or donations supporters wish to contribute. “The success of our organization is entirely dependent on the support of volunteers,” Dewberry said. To support GAC through sponsorship, participation in the golf tournament and Gala, or simply volunteering, visit the Web site at www.golfersagainstcancer.org. The Web site provides all necessary information regarding the tournament and different ways to help GAC. The GAC’s administrative office can be reached at 281-348-2280. © 2008 Ourtribune.com Golfers Against Center teeing it up Monday, October 27, 2008 This year’s Golfers Against Cancer events begin with the Gala Nov. 22, VIP Sponsors Tournament Nov. 23 and Monday Golf Tournament Nov. 24. Both the VIP Sponsors and Monday’s tournaments will be held at the Clubs of Kingwood, on the Deerwood and the Forest Course at 11 a.m. for the VIP Sponsors Tournament and the Deerwood and Kingwood courses at 10 a.m. for the Monday Golf Tournament. GAC is proud that their fundraising efforts are approaching the $20 million mark in support of cancer research. GAC Chairman Bobby Jones said he couldn’t be prouder of an organization he helped found in 1997. From a small golf tournament and dinner that raised $80,000 for cancer research, GAC now has tournaments and fundraising dinners across the country with the goal of raising at least three million dollars in total each and every year in direct contributions and matching funds. GAC holds their premier event in Kingwood at the Clubs of Kingwood. This flagship tournament, which boasts 550 players, is held the Monday prior to Thanksgiving every year with a special sponsors event held Sunday for diamond and platinum level contributors. The dinner, live and silent auctions are held Saturday evening. The gala will be held at the Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway. For more details, visit www.golfersagainstcancer.org or call at 281-348-2280. © 2008 Ourtribune.com Kingwood Observer Press Release Golfer battled cancer thanks to funds from organization Updated: Given only two to four months to live, Kingwood resident Gordon Findlay underwent radiation and chemotherapy to treat his pancreatic cancer. “There was nothing else available for me so we started looking at some of the more experimental cancer treatments. I came across the Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research,” Gordon said. “I qualified for the clinical trials for Camptothecin.”
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