Kathy Cheatham and Wendell Hougland
Twenty five years ago a group of Brookings friends, who had been personally affected by cancer, decided to host a golf tournament to raise funds to help others dealing with cancer.
The dream began in honor of Lorene Hougland, a cancer fighter and an original member of Brookings Relay for Life who’s family became very involved in that event. After she lost her 13 year cancer battle, her son Wendell Hougland, Scott Herried and group of ladies from Relay for Life, with the guidance of Peg Schultz (ACS), hosted their first cancer golf tournament at the Brookings Country Club.
Gordy Clarin and Randy Hope joined in the planning stages and by year three, they moved to Meadow Creek Golf Course where this tournament has been played since.
“They chose the Arts in the Park Saturday for the tournament so the men could get out of shopping,” Randy joked.
Over the years certain individuals were instrumental in growing this tournament. April Jewell with administration, Mick Cook with Cook’s Wastepaper & Recycling who sought donations, Dave Jacobson from Bobcat, Terry Nemitz of Outlaw Graphics, Lee Lundie with Prairie Graphics, Mike Srystad from Midland Contracting, Brian Steffenson from Cub Construction and the Meadow Creek Staff. Nate Holden, Club manager at our first tournament there in 2003, Tyler Steen, Brooke Mathern and current house and restaurant manager Kim Steffenson.
The Annual Brookings County Cancer Golf Tournament was donating its proceeds to the American Cancer Society.
“We all have lost family and friends from cancer so this program brings out a lot of emotions” commented Wendell.
A decade ago a group of Brookings area women formed a chapter of the Pink Ladies, a growing 501 (3)(c)nonprofit which had started in Yankton SD, that financially and emotionally supports local cancer fighters.
Besides throwing darts, they did a variety of fundraising projects including golf tournaments. In 2020, the Brookings Pink Ladies were asked to take over the Annual Brookings County Cancer Golf Tournament which ensured all revenue would now go directly to local cancer fighters and their families in Brookings and the surrounding areas.
With the guidance and assistance of the founders of this tournament, this tournament has continues to expand.
The increased funds have helped the Pink Ladies keep up with a sadly growing number of local families beginning on their cancer journey and increase the dollar amount to assist families at this difficult time.
Since the Brookings Pink Ladies began in the fall of 2015, they have given out over $164,560.00 in checks and gas cards to local men, women and children of all ages battling all forms of cancer. These families receive hope knowing that they are not fighting alone and that a large community of caring local businesses and individuals are supporting them.
This annual cancer tournament now hosts as many women as men golfers and additional sponsors have joined forces such as Access Entertainment Group, Active Heating Inc., Bearded Prints, Buffalo Wild Wings, Counterpart, Inc, Einsphar Auto Plaza, Grace Free Lutheran, Henkel, LNB Rentals, Larson Manufacturing, M & T Fire and Safety, Pederson Farms, Ray’s Corner, Mike Robbins, Sterling Technology, The Man Cave Barbershop and over 90 more generous businesses and individuals.
Although the Pink Ladies fundraise throughout the year with dart tournaments, hometown parades and 50/50 raffles, partner with local restaurants, vendor shows, and third party fundraising events, our two golf tournaments are our biggest annual programs.
The 25th annual cancer golf tournament will be held on July 12 in Volga and the White cancer golf tournament is August 16th.
If you would like to become a hole sponsor or donate to our tournaments, please contact one of our members or the phone numbers listed below.
Also, if you know anyone facing cancer who might benefit from financial assistance, please contact the Brookings Pink Ladies at 605-695-9804 (Susan Beckley) or 605-695-5910 (Shawna Swier) or visit our Facebook page and fill out a nomination request form.
As you see it does take a village to make a difference and it all began with one lady facing cancer and her family withdetermination and a vision that no one would fight cancer alone.