At Deep Creek Golf Club in Punta Gorda, Fla., what began as a small women’s league event has grown into a beloved golf breast cancer fundraiser. The club’s annual Rally for the Cure event – organized through Komen’s Go Pink for the Cure sports fundraising program – brings the local golfing community together to raise funds to support Komen and the fight to end breast cancer.
Inspired to Create a Golf Breast Cancer Fundraiser
Cathy Rickett was inspired to organize a fundraiser to support Komen after a close friend, Karen, died from metastatic breast cancer in 2000.
“We met in 1971 when we were living in the same apartment complex,” Cathy said. “We started a bunco club, and we all remained friends. Karen was a very important part of the group and a great friend.”
A few years after Karen’s death, Cathy learned about Rally for the Cure, a golf breast cancer fundraising initiative. As the tournament chair for the Deep Creek Golf Club Ladies League, she decided organizing a Rally event would be the best way to honor Karen and all people impacted by breast cancer.
“It started out with just the women’s league,” Cathy said. “As time went on, the men wanted to play, too. What started as a tournament with just 30 ladies grew to include 144 golfers.”
As the fundraiser grew in popularity, Cathy connected with breast cancer survivor Rae Anne Swan, a Deep Creek Golf Club member with experience in organizing golf fundraisers. Rae Anne jumped at the chance to help Cathy organize the fundraiser, and over the past several years, has taken on a larger leadership role.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s a good feeling when it’s all over and you see just how much money you’ve helped raise,” Rae Anne said.
Keeping Golfers Engaged with Unique Fundraising Challenges
Over the years, the rally has featured a variety of unique fundraising elements, including a marshmallow drive. “Players would tee up and hit a marshmallow, and whoever made the longest drive won a prize,” Cathy said. “It was fun, but it got too hot after a few years and we phased it out.”
Now, Rally participants can pay to participate in a variety of on-course challenges and incentives, including the option to pay $5 for Todd Evans, the Deep Creek professional golfer, to hit the participant’s tee shot on the 10th hole. The Rally Ribbon Target Practice is another popular activity where players attempt to hit a disc with a pink ribbon on the driving range.
“They’ll pay $5 and get six balls to make their attempt,” Cathy said. “If they hit the ribbon, they win a sleeve of golf balls.”
Community Support Helps Drive Fundraising Success
While Rae Anne took the lead as Rally ambassador for the 2026 event, Cathy focused on selling hole sponsorships. Sponsors are recognized with signs across the course.
“We charge $50 for sponsorships,” Cathy said. “We’re a golf club, and a lot of our folks are making an average income. Raising money is important, but we want to make the event affordable for our members to be able to participate.”
For the 2026 event, Rae Anne added a silent auction, which raised an additional $650, bringing the event’s total to more than $8,800 – a record for the annual golf breast cancer fundraiser.
“It takes a village to put this event together, and Rae Anne did an incredible job,” Cathy said.
Bringing a Community Together to Help End Breast Cancer
For Cathy and Rae Anne, seeing how the event brings people together is what makes the Rally extra special.
“The staff at the club are incredibly supportive and go above and beyond to decorate the facilities every year,” Cathy said. “My husband, Larry, went out with Rae Anne’s husband, Alan, and put up the sponsor signs at 6 a.m. this year. People are so willing to step up and help; it’s an overwhelming feeling.
Rae Anne added, “It’s incredible to see how many people come back every year and want to help out. The support we receive is just huge.”
How to Go Pink for the Cure
Inspired by Cathy and Rae Anne? Organize your own golf breast cancer fundraiser through Go Pink for the Cure, Komen’s sports fundraising program that encourages breast cancer awareness and healthy living while fundraising to help end breast cancer. Learn more at Komen.org/GoPink.
Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their healthcare provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
