Local golfers “Rally for a Cure”, raise $3,300

  NEW LIMERICK, Maine – On September 8, more than 68 golfers came to Houlton Community Golf Course to Rally for the Cure®. In partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Rally is a grassroots golf program dedicated to spreading awareness in the fight to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease.     “We have never seen such overwhelming participation from this community,” said organizers Gretchen Fitzpatrick and Trisha Fogarty. “Not only did we raise more money than in past years, we actually had to turn golfers away because of a full course. However, the kicker is … the golfers that were turned away showed up anyway just to help out and be part of a fantastic event.”      This is the third year that Fitzpatrick and Fogarty have co-chaired the event.
More than 20 businesses and families sponsored $100 pink ribbon holes, and more than 60 others helped by donating amazing prizes for the golfers. Not one golfer left the course without a thank you gift for helping support such a worthy cause.  With assistance from Houlton Wal-Mart by the way of a $500 donation, more than $3,300 was sent to Rally headquarters, which will be earmarked for local use.
Charity or no charity, golfers from across the county came out to play hard. Tony Marino and Jen Jose were winners of the Longest Drive Contest, and Daniel Peabody and Sue Fay secured prizes by placing their drives closest to the pin on hole number three. However, the big winners for the day were the team of Martha and Mike Fasulo and Bob and Harriet Gray with nine under par and bragging rights for the year.
Pink ribbons, in honor of or in memory of someone affected by breast cancer, scattered the course as a reminder of why this cause is so important. Carts were covered in pink balloons and crepe paper, temporary pink ribbon tattoos were proudly displayed, and all participants had some sort of pink on to show their support.
“This event is all about having a good time with friends and in many cases family, enjoying a beautiful day on a beautiful course, and raising money for a cause that is near to many of our hearts,” said the co-chairs.
Many volunteers worked behind the scenes and covered the course throughout the day. Special thanks to Leslie Gervais, Sue Fay, “Crash” Floyd, Linda Holmes, Brittany Benn, Barb Wright, Martha Fasulo, Bob Gray, and the Houlton Shiretown golf team for lending a hand when one was greatly needed. Also to Brian Fitzpatrick and Mike Fogarty for doing whatever the chairwomen said … no matter what.
When this community comes together there is never any doubt of the amazing things that can happen,” said the co-chairs. “Heartfelt thanks to all who helped to make this event possible.”