Good cause brings ladies in pink to Belvoir links

By Tamika MatthewsJune 25, 2009

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - The Fort Belvoir Golf Course turned a few shades of pink June 18.

The women of the Fort Belvoir Ladies' Golf Association held their annual Rally for the Cure in support of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The program encourages women to participate in events, such as golf, tennis or dining affairs, to spread awareness of breast cancer across their community and the country.

As in years past, pink decorations adorned much of the clubhouse interior. Additionally, a few members brought fruit and muffins for pre-golf sustenance. The event began with the poignant release of several pink and white balloons, some adorned in the signature pink breast cancer ribbon, into the sky.

Event chairwoman Liz Sanders watched the balloons as they floated away to the cloudy, gray heavens, blowing kisses behind them. "Those are for the ladies who have been here and gone on before us," she said. "We let them go to honor everyone who left us already and show we will always remember them."

According to Sanders, nearly 60 people signed up for this year's event. "We beat last year's record," she said. "There were very few ladies in our group who didn't sign up for this one."

Cindi Witek served as co-chairman and spent much of her morning bustling around with last-minute business, such as collecting donation checks from players. Still, she decided to suit up and participate in the event as well. "Well, nothing will be happening as soon as I'm done with this," she joked. "I might as well play and try to win a prize."

Witek put her skill to use in another Rally for the Cure golf outing earlier in the week, where she won accolades for landing closest to the pin. "Maybe I can pick up another one here at this tournament," she said with a smile.

Despite the fun on tap for the day, Witek appreciated the deeper purpose of the event. "I've had three family members battle breast cancer, and luckily, they all beat it and are all still with us," she said. "This is important to me because of them."

Witek said she enjoyed being a part of this year's rally. "This is a great opportunity for all of the ladies to get on their pink and get out there to celebrate for a good cause."

After a brief discussion of the rules, twosomes and threesomes of ladies piled into their golf carts and headed out to the greens in a rose-colored flurry, determined to commemorate their loved ones' with a day of fun.