Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

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(Baton Rouge) - The 2009 Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open presented by MAPP Construction and Amedisys will mark its 19th year. This annual event supports the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer through expert treatment, compassionate care, early detection, research and education.

Hillar Moore Jr., Clayton Lester, Jay Campbell Gary Mockler, T.J. Moran, William H. Wright Jr., Gary Sligar, Gerry Lane, Thomas H. Turner, Charles Valuzzo, Bobby Duhe’, Dean Alexander and Cathy Thompson were on the original committee that launched this event almost two decades ago. This year the center is honoring that founding group, referred to as the "19th Hole" in honor of the 19th anniversary, for their success in founding and institutionalizing an event that has netted more than $1.2 million for the fight against cancer.

The Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open is affiliated with the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series and remains the only professional tournament in the Baton Rouge area. This year’s tournament will serve as Adams Golf's Mid-Season Championship beginning Thursday, June 11 and continuing through Sunday, June 14 at The University Club. There will be more pros, more prizes, and more excitement. "We expect at least 140 pros to sign up for this stop in Baton Rouge," said Gary DeSerrano, Adams Golf Pro Tour Series president. "Not only is it our Mid-Season Championship, but there's a minimum purse of $125,000. That's generating a lot of excitement already."

The Amedisys Pro-Am tournament takes place one day before the professional tournament on Wednesday, June 10 at The University Club. An Adams pro golfer is placed with each sponsored three-man team to play in a "shamble" format. It is an extremely popular event as good food and cold drinks are in abundance as well as great prizes for holes-in-one, closest to the pin and longest drive. A few sponsorships with pro-am teams are still available. Call Jay Lyles, director of corporate & foundation giving, at 225-215-1229 for details.

For additional information about all other aspects of the Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open, contact Christi Domingue at 225-247-9974 or by email at christidomingue@marybird.com.

Proceeds from the golf tournament benefit Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has been fighting cancer for over 35 years with locations in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma and Gonzales. It has comprehensive cancer programs with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. These programs are accredited by the American College of Surgeons' the gold standard for community-based cancer care. For more information visit www.marybird.org.

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