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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
Womans 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
days 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 years 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, its so much fun.
It doesnt 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 years tournament with
great enthusiasm
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The November, 2006
Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2006, Valley Patriot, Inc.
We publish 9,000 newspapers and distribute in Andover,
North Andover,
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Lawrence, Dracut, Tewksbury, Hampton & Salisbury
Beach, and Lowell.
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