Tourney targets breast cancer

COEUR d'ALENE - Tee up to fight breast cancer.

Ladies (and gentlemen) are invited to swing their woods and irons in support of the Susan G. Koman Foundation Friday during The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course Pro Shop Women's Golf Tournament.

Don't let the title fool you - any golfer is welcome, and all proceeds benefit the Coeur d'Alene affiliate of SGK, the foundation dedicating to fighting breast cancer.

"Last year we decided we had all either known someone or had been touched by cancer in some way," said Shelly Christensen, event coordinator, on the idea that spurred the fairway fundraiser, now in its second year. "We're just taking a little part in helping."

Golfers will be teamed in groups of four for a shotgun-style start at 8 a.m. Single golfers will be placed in teams if they don't have their own squad, followed by a luncheon at the new Hagadone Event Center, featuring guest speaker and breast cancer survivor Lisa Bridge.

SGK foundation provided Bridge with a free mammogram, which diagnosed the cancer, and later helped her pay for treatment.

"All the ladies will see first hand what their money is going towards, what their effort is going towards,' Christensen said.

Last year's event had 70 golfers. This year's field is expected to be around 100. Tickets, which cost $99, include range balls, a warm-up massage, engraved bag tags, golf cart during play, a caddy, lunch and a complimentary women's golf clinic later that afternoon.

Pink will be the colored-theme, with pin flags that shade, as well as signs with names honoring people who have both survived and succumbed to cancer. Closest to the pin contests, and raffles with prizes ranging from dinners from a wide variety of restaurants to overnight hotel packages are also a part of the day.

For more information, call 667-4653.