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Representatives of the Links Ladies of Nags Head Golf Links presented checks totaling $44,721 to partners The Outer Banks Hospital and The Outer Banks Relief Foundation for their programs fighting breast cancer and women’s reproductive cancers.

On Saturday, June 4, Nags Head Golf Links was the scene of the successful charity event Driving Fore the Cure. Since 2013 and despite canceling the tournament in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID, Driving Fore the Cure women’s golf tournament has raised $286,117.

These funds – all of which stay in our local Outer Banks community – are evenly split between two non-profits: The NHGL links Ladies Breast Cancer Fund through The Outer Banks Hospital’s Cancer Resource Center, which focuses on providing treatment and resources for women with breast cancer, and The Outer Banks Relief Foundation Breast Cancer Fund, which is designated to financially help women living and/or working in the community as they undergo testing, surgeries, chemotherapy or radiation. This year, donations will be earmarked for women’s reproductive cancers in addition to breast cancer.

“Everyone knows someone who has or has had breast cancer or one of women’s reproductive cancers such as ovarian, cervical, uterine, or endometrial. Perhaps, it is you or someone you know and love – mother, sister, daughter, cousin, friend – who has battled one of these diseases. Did you know that one in eight American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime? Or that gynecologic cancers are among the most lethal because many are well advanced before they are detected and diagnosed? This year, 17 of our players and volunteers are survivors of one of these cancers,” said Kathleen Brehony, one of the organizers of the tournament. “The NHGL Links Ladies are fighting these cancers in our local community and, so, every year on the first Saturday after Memorial Day, we sponsor a women’s golf tournament to raise money for two important Dare County initiatives. With more than 120 players and 60 volunteers, Driving Fore the Cure is the largest ladies’ golf tournament in the Outer Banks. We raise money, we raise awareness, and we honor the women survivors.”

Women of all skill levels participated in the fun four-woman team captain’s choice tournament. For added excitement, a 2022 Buick Envision was offered for a hole-in-one on the very wicked par three #15, sponsored by Haley Buick GMC Airport in Richmond, Va., as well as other prizes for a hole-on-one on any of the other par threes on the course. In addition, Village Realty, a long-time supporter of the tournament, offered a cash prize of $500 for a hole-in-one on the #17 par three. No one won any of the main prizes, but many came close.

Tournament competition, which began with some drizzling rain and a bit of wind that later turned into a blue-sky day, was hard fought but fun. “C” Cups for a Cure (Cathy Wilson, Rhonda Williams, Gail Vanlandingham, Carolyn Jordan) triumphed for first place. Hakuna Ma Ta’Ta’s took second (Tracy Sigler, Jennifer Cahoon, Tiffany Schisler, Sue Schiavone) and Sam & Omie’s won third (Margaret Suppler, Carole Sykes, Nancy Lee Dod, Sandy Keeling).

Shirley Hayworth won the straightest drive contest, Katherine Schuster slammed it to take the award for longest drive. Closest to the pin contests were won by Cynthia Kubat (on #10) and Laura Dibbern won the contest, but missed winning the car by less than 4 feet on #15. Newbie golfer Anne “Kiki” Farmer took home the trophy for longest putt.

Prizes for best dressed team, best decorated cart, and best unified entry were highly competitive – as always – and Nags Head Golf Links was awash with the color pink.

Congratulations were also expressed by Links Ladies to OBX4U/Siers Realty (best dressed team), Hoe Bags (best decorated carts) and best unified entry (Penn Oaks Party Girls).

To keep up the momentum of this year’s tournament, plans are already in progress for Driving Fore the Cure 2023, which will be held on Saturday, June 3, the first Saturday after Memorial Day.

“We are proud of the charitable work that our organization sponsors. The Links Ladies are a group of golfing and non-golfing women who reside either part- or full-time on the Outer Banks and enjoy working for a better quality of life for Dare County. Driving Fore the Cure, Ruthie’s Kitchen, Food For Thought, and other activities that support our local community are at the heart of the Links Ladies,” said Linda Ledwith, president of the NHGL Links Ladies. “But we also know how to have fun! We have groups who play cards, meet at book clubs, take day trips to art festivals, and attend local theater events and concerts, among other things. Some of us play golf and some of us don’t. It is not necessary to belong to Nags Head Golf Links to be a Links Lady. If you would like more information about the Links Ladies and how to become involved with our vibrant group please contact me!” Ledwith may be reached at ledspot@aol.com.

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