12 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER
August 2019
Putting for
PINK
Niners sponsor golf
tournament that raises
funds for cancer research
By CLARA HOWELL
W
hen 93-year-old Peg
Watson’s sister died
from cancer more than
10 years ago, Watson
wanted to do something to honor her.
“She approached me and said ‘Let’s
do a no frills, low key little fundraiser to
raise money for cancer,’” said Penny
Kirk, who plays golf with Watson.
The Niners decided on the Pink Ball
Tournament, where participants wear
pink and all the proceeds go toward can-
cer research.
“I felt that was just a really good
thing. I’m in favor of continuing things
like it, starting new things and just hav-
ing the support of the golf group,” said
Watson. “That’s just what our group
thought of and there’s been some varia-
tion of the activity but it was always to
raise money for a group that needed it
out of the hospital.”
Since 2006, the tournament, hosted at
the Charbonneau Golf Club, has morphed
into a large gathering where hundreds of
community members sign up in teams of
four. Each team is given a pink golf ball
and the object is to get through all nine
holes without losing it. Teammates rotate
turns with it and if they finish the tourna-
ment with the pink ball in hand, the team
is eligible for a prize.
The first year, the golf tournament
raised about $1,200 and over the last five
years, more than $200,000 was raised.
Last year, Pink Ball brought in about
$47,000.
Funds were initially donated to the
Susan G Komen Foundation and the
American Cancer Society but more re-
cently the Niners have decided to donate
COURTESY PHOTOS
From left, Alan and Penny Kirk and Peter and Laraine Vazanna at a past
Pink Ball Tournament.
the money to OHSU’s Knight Cancer
Institute.
“We liked the idea that all of the
funds are kept in Oregon and are used
here and so we continue to support the
Phil Knight Foundation,” Kirk said.
Pink Ball also has a silent and oral
auction as well as corporate sponsors,
who rake in a significant portion of the
revenue.
“People are just very generous, just
the personal donations,” Kirk said,
adding that auction items are donated
by local residents.
Another way the Niners raise mon-
ey is by selling tribute signs that are
placed on the golf holes.
“The one I remember is “Dad, I still
miss you today and I have your club in
my bag,’” Kirk said.
The tournament is Tuesday, Sept. 10,
and tee off is at 9 a.m. Participants can
sign up individually or in teams of no
more than four the month prior to the
tournament.
“If you can walk and you can swing a
club, you are welcome,” Kirk said. “No
matter how young you are or how old
you are, you are welcome. That has
been our motto.”
The Niners thank the individual do-
nors, the 18-holers who donate the wine
and the Men’s Club that has donated
money, as well as the tournament’s
sponsors.
From left, Dale Kadell, Paul Meier and Mike Tewell.
Elaine Junta, left, and Sharon Kadell at a past Pink Ball Tournament.
The Niners said they are also looking
for more sponsors and individuals to
donate auction items. The bronze level
includes corporate sponsors who do-
nate $250 or less; silver donates $500 or
less; gold sponsors donate $750 or less
and platinum sponsors are those who
donate a minimum of $2,500.
Registration is open for the first 92
players and it fills quick. Visit niners.
golfcharbonneau.com or contact Mary
Fieweger at [email protected]
or 503-519-4388 for registration and
more information on fees, sponsorship
and donations.
Fieweger encourages Charbonneau
residents to place a pink item in their
yard on the day of the tournament to
show support — think pink flag, flowers
or even a towel.
“I think it’s an event that brings the
whole community together in a way
that none of our other events do for a
common purpose,” Kirk said. “That pur-
pose is to make a difference
in the fight
df
di
against cancer.”