Golf Fore Life Charity Tournament a huge success

A record breaking check in the amount of $21,000 benefits the University of Arizona Cancer Center.

A record breaking check in the amount of $21,000 benefits the University of Arizona Cancer Center.

Carol Ruff and Sandy Eeds

The Palo Verde and Cottonwood Ladies’ Golf Associations held their annual golf tournament to benefit the University of Arizona Cancer Center on November 15 at the Palo Verde Golf Course. The day proved to be a record breaking success as participants, donors, merchants and benefactors opened their pocketbooks and their hearts to generate over $21,000 for the University of Arizona Foundation.

The organization for such an event begins long before the actual day and a large number of volunteer committee members is required to bring it all together. There was no shortage of volunteers from both clubs and the combination proved to be successful, resulting in an unprecedented fundraiser for the ladies.

Money was raised in a variety of ways; a golf entry fee that was actually a donation to the UofA; the sale of hole sponsor signs honoring those touched by cancer; generous donations made by local and out-of-state business which were recognized with signs bearing their names; the sale of leaves on the Tree of Hope bearing the names of loved ones; and the raffle of 18 wonderful gift baskets assembled from items donated by generous merchants both local and afar, or purchased by community members. This year some of our patrons went above and beyond with their donations. The money just kept coming in and we were overwhelmed with the philanthropic sentiment of our small community and the many generous businesses.

After the golf scramble was completed, participants gathered in the Palo Verde Country Club for lunch, the drawing of gift basket raffle tickets and the reveal of the winners of the scramble. The conclusion of the benefit was the presentation of a check to a representative from the U of A Cancer Center for $21,000! This brings the total amount raised and donated to $46,000 over the last three years. Our sincere thanks to all those who volunteered and donated to a cause that is dear to all  of our hearts.