Golfers tee off for breast cancer

TARA — There’s rarely a day that goes by that Missy Williams isn’t impacted by cancer.

For the past 12 years, the Tara Golf & Country Club PGA golf professional has watched countless residents endure the struggles and heartache associated with cancer treatments.

But it wasn’t until her friend, Jen Swartout, was diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, that Williams found a new passion in life — devoting her time and effort toward raising money for cancer research.

A month before Swartout was scheduled to walk in her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day, she found out she had breast cancer. Swartout went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation before eventually learning she was cancer free.

Shortly after Swartout’s diagnosis, she and Williams’ friend, Judi Kaffeian, formed Team For You. Williams has since taken over the role as team captain.

“Everyone has some sort of passion and you just go with it,” said Williams, who almost always wears pink to work. “I made that my passion. Luckily I have an outlet such as golf to support such a worthwhile organization.”

Saturday, June 16, Williams hosted her fifth annual Team For You Golf Tournament, with 144 golfers teeing off to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Over the past five years, Williams has raised nearly $25,000 from the golf tournament.

Following the tournament, players enjoyed a 50/50 drawing and a raffle for the chance to win a pink Bubba Watson driver, a golf shirt signed by 2011 U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy and rounds of golf, among other prizes.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].