Lady golfers took the theme to heart.
A full field of 144 participated in the 11th annual Wine, Women and Woods charity golf tournament Sunday at Predator Ridge Resort with the event’s theme coming from the Helen Reddy hit song “I Am Woman Hear Me Roar.”
The golfers raised $101,000 through online donations and silent, live and caddy auctions for the Vernon Jubilee Hospital digital mammography campaign.
“One of the highlights was the auctioning of the caddies,” said tournament committee chairperson Kathy Parton. “Don Dodds was the auctioneer and emcee (Predator golf pro) A.J. Eathorne managed to get everyone to open their hearts and their wallets.
“A lot of fun was had by all.”
The father-and-son pairing of Dave and Brendan Willis, from Vernon and Kelowna, respectively, served as celebrity caddies, billing themselves as “Chip” (Brendan) and “Dale” (Dave).
The duo, adorned in matching white Predator Ridge golf hats and shirts, pink plus four pants with white and pink shoes, were purchased for $1,650.
“This is a great cause, we’re happy to be doing our part and looking forward to a fun day,” said Brendan Willis as he made off with a dozen cupcakes toward his team’s cart Sunday morning.
The fun, of course, carried on to the actual golf tournament.
The teams met outside the Predator Ridge pro shop and golf carts and golfers were decked out in finest 1970s attire.
The Service B.C. Lady Leopards were dressed in leopard skin golfing attire, and the front of their golf cart was a gigantic lion’s head in full roar.
The Mother-Daughter Power team of Carol Dodds, Donna Cain, Megan Pronovost and Jodi Perry drew applause for their carts which were converted into pink 1970s-style Volkswagen vans with ROAR as the licence plate and “There’s No Fear in Fierce” written across the top.
Decked out in pink hair, pink sunglasses and flower power and tie-dye shirts was Team Kal West Contractors, with seven-time tournament participant Paula Starke, a breast cancer survivor, at the helm.
“We need all the help we can get for the equipment. There’s more to be done for the future for my daughters,” said Starke, who was joined in her foursome by her two girls, Leanne Weins and Lisa Starke, and by Fern Dupont.
Each team was high-fived by Eathorne as they made their way from the pro shop to their starting holes.
It was the first time the tournament was held at Predator Ridge Resort.
“The venue was exceptional and even the weather held out – no rain at all,” said Parton. “A great deal of fun was had on the course. The costumes were creative, proving that you can have fun while helping fight a very serious disease.”
Parton praised her committee and participants for making the tournament a success.
The Wine, Women and Woods committee, working in conjunction with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, has earmarked all of the funds for the VJH Digital Mammography Campaign.
A cheque was presented to Jennifer Atkinson, CBCF, and Sue Beaudry, VJH Foundation director of development, following the tournament.
