Cancer’s tremendous reach means it impacts nearly every life. And while there are fundraisers galore, it can be difficult to follow their real-world impact amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. On September 10, 2022, the Olympia Country & Golf Club held their very first Drive Out Cancer Golf Classic in conjunction with the Olympia Hutch Guild and together collected nearly $140,000.
Funding a Cure for Cancer with the Olympia Hutch Guild
The Olympia Hutch Guild raises money and awareness for Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in a variety of ways. Guild organizers believe that with sufficient funding, cancers of all kinds can be cured by 2025. To reach this powerful goal, they work tirelessly all year round. You can donate directly 24/7 or look for one of their many sponsored events.
As part of September’s first annual Drive Out Cancer Golf Classic, more than $138,000 was raised and on Monday, November 28, a commemorative check was presented to Renee Kurdzos, the executive director of the Planned Giving Philanthropy Department at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
A Day on the Green, Raising Some Green
What better way to raise money than by spending a beautiful summer afternoon outside on the links? Event organizer Julie Goldsmith of the Oly Hutch Guild, says that they had more than 130 fun-loving participants, even a group from Chicago, as well over 30 volunteers.
“Our club staff worked hard to make this a great experience for all who attended,” shares Jason Reehm, the Club’s general manager. “Participants were amazed with the quality of the food, which included lunch, a cocktail party and dinner.”
To memorialize those who have lost their lives to cancer, attendees could dedicate a memorial sign. The putting green was outlined with more than 100 pinwheels in honor of family and friends battling with, surviving or lost to the disease. Even individual golf carts were emblazoned with flags highlighting the Drive Out Cancer logo.
“OCGC Pro Mitch Berschauer hit over 100 golf balls onto the first green for a donation of $10 each,” says Reehm. “No one was able to score a hole-in-one to win a car, sponsored by I-5 Cars in Chehalis, but many took home raffle baskets or prizes for closest to the pin, longest and most accurate drives. The day was filled with fun, love and a few tears.”
Looking Forward to 2023’s Drive Out Cancer Golf Tournament
The inaugural Classic did so well that Reehm and the golf team at the Olympia Country & Golf Club are already planning next year’s event. The second annual tournament is scheduled for August 26, 2023 and a fundraising goal of $200,000 is accepting donations now. Register online and reserve your team’s spot today or consider signing up as a sponsor. Registration includes lunch, golf cart rental, 18-holes, two drink tickets, dinner and a pinwheel honoring a friend or loved one. And yes, they’ll still play a 4-Person scramble with the opportunity for prizes: closest to the pin, most accurate drive, longest drive and a hole-in-one car.
From the event page store you can also purchase a Drive Out Cancer logo golf shirt, dedicated In Loving Memory sign for placement on the course or tickets to the dinner and cocktail reception only.
The Classic plays 18 tournament holes with two groups per hole and four golfers per group. With this much notice, you have plenty of time to polish your skills, if needed, with a little golf instruction. There are two PGA Class A pros on staff at the Club and they’re happy to arrange individual or small group lessons by appointment. They also host men’s, seniors’, ladies’ and junior golf clinics throughout the year.
The Club’s Pro Shop can sell or special order pretty much anything as well as answer questions about which gear is right for you. Whether equipment, apparel or accessories, call 360.915.8737 and they’ll get you suited up with style. Check out the Club’s monthly event calendar for other activities.
Fred Hutch Cancer Center Changes Lives Worldwide
Donating to Fred Hutch Cancer Center, whether directly or through events like the Drive Out Cancer Golf Classic, doesn’t just impact the Pacific Northwest. Their scientists and doctors have performed more than 1.5 million bone marrow transplants and facilitate more than 400 active clinical trials. They’ve also worked to prevent, treat and cure cancer, COVID-19 and many other diseases.
With more than 300 research labs worldwide, making a donation to their work allows them to start projects six times faster than relying on federal grant funding alone. Join with the Olympia Hutch Guild and Olympia Golf & Country Club working together to cure cancer in our lifetime. Then swing by this August and show off your stroke for a very good cause.
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