By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
In its 51-year history, the LPGA has quietly exhibited a tender tendency. When it takes on a cause, it is embraced absolutely. Its philanthropic philosophy goes far beyond a show-face mentality.
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| Val Skinner spearheads a fund-raiser for breast cancer research, the LIFE Event, in memory of friend and fellow golfer Heather Farr. |
Two of the latest exhibits involve ambitious goals. One is over in a single day in New Jersey, the other is a year-long mission to improve lives in Ruvu Remiti, Tanzania.
If you spend any time around the LPGA, you can still sense Heather Farr’s presence eight years after her death. There are awards in her name, a national charity in her memory (Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation) and vivid recollections etched in many minds.
If you are near Val Skinner, you can hear Farr’s voice and feel her spirit.
Skinner is here for this week’s Cup Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Open at Kapolei Golf Course. She was with her 24-year-old friend the day Farr flew home to see the doctor in 1989. Skinner was in the locker room three days later when the announcement was posted about Farr’s breast cancer. Skinner was in the hospital 4 1/2 years later, when Farr passed away.
Closely linked with Komen, Skinner organized three small-scale benefits for breast cancer and has also raised money for women’s and children’s centers. It wasn’t nearly enough for a golfer named one of the "Most Caring Athletes" in USA Weekend magazine
Last year, Skinner organized a 27-player Pro-Am, complete with former first lady Betty Ford as honorary chair and her son Jack as co-host, and an appearance on Rosie O’Donnell. Skinner brought in an "eclectic, I’m proud to say" array of sponsors ranging from pharmaceutical and insurance companies to banks, health care organizations and brokers. Her LPGA cast included Karrie Webb, Meg Mallon and Juli Inkster. The result was remarkable.
The LIFE (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer) Event raised $500,000 for Komen and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey — the most money ever raised for breast cancer in a single-day golf event.
The funds will be used for clinical research focusing on young women, and to encourage early detection for women Farr’s age, a special need too close to Skinner’s heart.
"That’s something that has never been done before," Skinner says. "That generation has never been talked to."
The second LIFE Event will be June 25. "This is our way of giving back to Heather’s legacy what she gave to us," Skinner says. "We can be a voice for her ... to say we remember you."
World Vision, an international Christian relief and development organization, is the same age as the LPGA. It serves 85 million people in 100 countries; 10,000 of the most needy live in Ruvu Remiti, three degrees below the equator in East Africa and accessible by a single dirt road.
The average annual household income is $154. The nearest market is 30 miles away. Sixty percent of the children are malnourished and do not attend school.
Alternative Ministries, which provides Christian outreach for the tour, created Drive for Life last year. Its goal is to raise $320,000 — and awareness — for Ruvu Remiti this year. The funds will go for food, health services, clean water, agricultural cooperatives, environmental/wildlife management, to construct classrooms and to help children orphaned by AIDS. The Futures and Evian Ladies European Tour are partners. Nearly 100 players are already involved. Many will travel to Tanzania later this year.
Until then, the Drive for Life involves several initiatives, ranging from Hunger Banquet benefits to 30-hour famines, child sponsorships and personal player pledges. Playing Partners will combine participants and sponsors, who pledge cash for each birdie and eagle in 2001. Last year, Hawaiian Ladies Open defending champion Betsy King had 306 birdies. A repeat could be worth more than $30,000.
"We can not only help raise funds to improve the lives of the people in Ruvu Remiti," says King, who will go to Tanzania, "but also to build awareness for the many people around the world still living in poverty conditions who need our assistance. We can and will make a difference."
For more information on World Vision, call 1-888-511-6577. To learn more about the LIFE Event, e-mail life4yw@aol.com.
SHORT PUTTS: Hee-Won Han and Jody Niemann both shot 3-under-par 69 Monday to qualify for the Hawaiian Ladies Open. Pearl Country Club’s Pamela Kometani, who is five months pregnant, shot 72. Hawai‘i amateurs Sally Soranaka (73) and Michelle Wie (80) also failed to qualify.
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