August 4, 2022 at 10:20 a.m.
Rain doesn't damper NWGC Ladies cancer awareness night
Rain doesn't damper NWGC Ladies cancer awareness night
Rain and storms were not going to stop the Northwood Golf Club Ladies League on their most important night of the year - especially considering the night held even more significance this year.
While the weather forced the cancellation of the golf portion of the event, the league held its 14th annual Pink Night for cancer awareness on Tuesday. Despite the threatening weather, 48 players, representing both the Northwood league and the Ladies League at Inshalla Country Club in Tomahawk, showed up and partook in dinner and raffles and other activities.
"It was just the right thing to do," event coordinator Carole Zierden said. "Everybody was in(side). They were socializing. No one really had paid for anything as far as golf went. I thought it was just a win-win, even though the weather stopped us from playing."
While the color pink holds special significance in regard to breast cancer awareness, the night was about honoring and remember those in their lives who have battled or are battling any and all forms of cancer.
"It's unbelievable how breast cancer, or any type of cancer, (touches so many people)," Zierden said. "Someone will come and say, 'Oh, my wife, my sister, or daughter (had it)' and just give you a donation. They're just happy to see someone sitting out there trying to raise money for a good cause."
That was especially true for the group this year after losing one of its own, Romelle Vandervest, to ovarian cancer in late April at the age of 55.
"Losing Romelle, last night was a big part for Romelle," Zierden said, with her voice cracking and trailing off. "She isn't the only one. We've had other ladies that have succumbed to cancer and we've lost them but Romelle fought the fight. I was her teacher and I coached her in softball and it's just sad to see someone so young pass away. She fought with everything in her, was an active member of our Ladies' League as well as in Rhinelander. Last night was a big part for Romelle."
Zierden said the group gave back 100% of the proceeds to two local cancer organizations - $2,000 to James Beck Cancer Center in Rhinelander and $1,000 the Ties That Bind Us in Tomahawk. The event has raised more than $23,000 overall since its inception in 2009.
There was rain and thunderstorms in the vicinity around the group's scheduled 4:30 p.m. tee time. Rather than taking the chance of getting rained on, or being pulled off the course due to lightning, Zierden said the group made the call to nix the round of golf and move ahead with the other activities planned for the evening, which were held inside of Northwood's Whipsaw Bar & Grill.
"The support from the women, they certainly were willing and able to buy raffle tickets, do the different card raffles that we have. We didn't get the mulligans and different things you have when people play golf but, hey, that's OK. Everyone had a good time," Zierden said. "It's always nice to just get together. Inshalla comes and joins us. It's just a really good time and I think everyone has so much fun sitting that the table, meeting women and talking and sharing stories of how cancer has affected their life and lives around them. Listening to the people talk and share the stories, it's just heart-warming."
In addition to the golf course, the staff at Whipsaw and the participants, Zierden thanked the fellow members of the planning committee, the league's guests from Inshalla, and local businesses and individuals who supported the event through donations of either money or prizes to be raffled.
"It's unbelievable the support. We thank Rhinelander and the individuals and businesses," she said.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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