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Rally For a Cure
Debbie Quinn, Methuen City Council

On a windy, blissful fall Sunday, 144 women descended upon the Merrimack Golf Course from all parts of the Merrimack Valley and beyond to show support and raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research charity.  The Woman’s Fall Classic was started by Meredith Kattar 12 years ago to get women interested in golf.  Thirty women came out to play and now there is a waiting list that keeps on growing. 

Annie Concemi took over the tournament and gave it the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer cause.  The Kattar family, along with tournament organizer Anne Concemi, and with the assistance of Michael Farelli, has worked diligently to raise $15,000 for the cause.  The Kattar family closes the golf course for the day so the women can enjoy the camaraderie and show support to the survivors, sisters, mothers, and daughters.  In addition, the Kattar family donates all of their time to serve drinks, soup, sandwiches and dinner throughout the day’s event.

Barbara Durkin, who works at the golf course in the kitchen, had her own foursome along with her friend Carol Pelletier from Beverley, Audra Durkin from Chelmsford, Kerry DeStaefano from Framingham and MaryEllen Maccarone from Methuen.  They all came to play and have fun to support such an important cause. This year’s winning team was Bonnie Bednez, Cindy Fournier, Theresea, Jervey and Joan Shaw; their team was one over par in the gross division.  Winners in the net division were Christine Bisson, Donna Johnson, Cheryl Pratt, and Nancy Wheaton at –5.5. Second place went to Meredith Kattar, Tia Bistany, Debbie Quinn, Jennifer Mottola at –5, and third place went to Jennifer Brideau, Lisa Ebert, Coco Hannon, and Heidi Neff at  -4.5.  For the past six years the team of Crissy Lumb, Karen May, Kathy Ryan and Marylyn Sweeney from the Scottish Highlands held the title as champions, but more importantly they play for the cause and the fact that Merrimack is a woman-friendly course. 

Eileen Regan from Newburyport came to the tournament for the second year in a row. Eileen says the “food is great and the jackets each participant receives are beautiful.”  Stephanie Wallace from Atkinson has golfed in the golf classic for nine years and says “she will do it every year, it’s so much fun.”  It doesn’t matter which woman you talked to; they are all in agreement that it is fun, challenging and, most of all, it has meaning.

When I left the tournament, I walked away thinking about something my fellow councilor, Kathleen Corey Rahme, once said to me, “When we empower other women, we all shine brighter.” To the ladies who played in the tournament and the entire Kattar family who rallied together on a beautiful autumn Sunday afternoon, you all make a difference.

A Few Facts About Breast Cancer

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.  More than 200,000 women in the United Sates will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Early detection is crucial. When found early, the five-year survival rate is 96%. Mammograms are the single most important tool for detecting breast cancer.  There are over two million breast cancer survivors in the United States.  Breast cancer attacks many women in the prime of their lives and it accounts for more deaths of women between the ages of 35-54 than any other disease.  When breast cancer attacks a woman, it also attacks an entire family.  It could be your mother, sister, daughter or wife - it shows no discrimination.  If your family is dealing with this devastating disease, there is help and hope.  For more information, visit the Rally for a Cure website at
www.rallyforacure.com.

About Merrimack Golf Course

Merrimack is one of the oldest courses in Essex County, circa 1907. George Kattar purchased the course in the spring of 1971.  Now a historic renovation is underway by course architect, George Sargent.  Nine of the 18 new holes at Merrimack will be completed by May 2007, and the rest of the course completed later on in the year. Capping off the restoration of the golf course will be the construction of a new state-of-the-art clubhouse and function hall. We are very happy for the Kattar family and I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude for making the ladies golf tournament so much fun. I look forward to next year’s tournament with great enthusiasm

 



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The November, 2006 Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly Publication.
All Contents (C) 2006
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