2009 Golf Fore The Cure Raises Over $800,000 in Support of Breast Cancer Research

Participation program eclipses $2.3 million mark in funds raised; LPGA Tour star Alena Sharp on hand to celebrate success of the national event

Toronto (RCGA) – Female golfers from across the country hit the links Monday at Markland Wood Golf Club to celebrate the success of the Golf Fore The Cure program which to date this season has raised over $800,000 in support of breast cancer research.

Presented by Subaru, the RCGA Golf Fore the Cure program is aimed at growing women’s golf participation in Canada by introducing the game through fun, non-intimidating activities.

Proceeds from more than 200 Golf Fore the Cure sites across the country contribute to this national fundraising initiative and are donated to the Canadian Cancer Society as well as the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. To date, over $2.3 million has been raised through the Golf Fore the Cure program in the fight against breast cancer.

“I am especially proud that we were able to grow in terms of participation with over 14,000 women having taken part in the Golf Fore the Cure program in 2009,” said Jeff Thompson, RCGA Chief Sport Development Officer. “We are also absolutely delighted that to date, our fundraising contribution to breast cancer research has eclipsed the $2.3 million mark.”

In all, 108 participants were on hand at Markland Wood to take part in the season-ending national event, celebration of the season long program. Also taking part was LPGA Tour star and Golf Fore the Cure Ambassador Alena Sharp who greeted competitors and helped to celebrate in the program’s 2009 success.

“I am extremely proud to be involved with the RCGA Golf Fore the Cure program,” said Alena Sharp. “The battle against breast cancer is one that I am very passionate about and I am honoured to help celebrate the commitment and dedication of all the participants, sponsors and volunteers involved with the program.”

The event marks the successful conclusion of the 2009 Golf Fore the Cure season which included more than 200 women's golf events from coast to coast with over 14,000 women participating.

The RCGA hosts a one-day national golf tournament in a scramble format to celebrate the conclusion of the season and its fundraising efforts. This one-day event recognizes supporters, sponsors and top fundraisers from all aspects of the program.

For more information or to learn about how you can get involved in Golf Fore the Cure visit: www.golfforethecure.ca.

ABOUT GOLF FORE THE CURE
RCGA Golf Fore the Cure, presented by Subaru, is a program aimed at growing women’s participation in the game of golf through fun, non-intimidating golf related activities. As a unique element to the program, a partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society and Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation allows women from across the country to participate in golf activities and raise money for a cause close to all women’s hearts – breast cancer research. To date, Golf Fore the Cure has raised over $2.3 million towards the fight against breast cancer. Golf Fore the Cure is proudly supported by Subaru, Corona Light, Investors Group, Nancy Lopez Golf, Precept and Reader’s Digest. For more information, please visit www.rcgagolfforethecure.ca.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum and CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.

For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.