Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

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(Baton Rouge) - On Monday night, June 8, the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center presented the Taste of the Tournament PAR-TEE and Auction, underwritten by Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and presented by the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, kicking off a week of golf fundraising activities for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. The rest of the week consisted of the Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open presented by Amedysis and MAPP Construction, the Amedysis Pro-Am tournament and the Coca-Cola Junior Clinic. All told, net proceeds of approximately $165,000 will go directly back to the thousands of people throughout the Center's 18-parish service area to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer through expert treatment, compassionate care, early detection, research and education.

"The net proceeds from the Taste of the Tournament were instrumental in our success toward furthering the treatment of cancer and its prevention," said Jay Lyles, director, corporate and foundation giving, Mary Bird Perkins. "We couldn't have done it without the Taste committee, the businesses and individuals who donated auction items, our sponsors, the restaurants donating food and of course those who were generous with their bids."

Brian Farroux, owner of Brian's Furniture in Port Allen, conducted the auction with the help of "celebrity" spotters Michael Trufant and Bill Profita.

Randy Haddad, Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open co-chair, was also pleased with the success of the week's events. "On behalf of the entire tournament organizing committee, I'd like to thank The University Club, the Adams Golf pros, the sponsors and our media partners WAFB Channel 9 and Eagle 98.1. Even the heat wave couldn't take the fun out of Baton Rouge's premier golf event."

In addition to Co-Chair Randy Haddad, the 2009 Golf Organizing Committee consisted of Hillar Moore, Jr., founding chair; Kurt LaCroix, co-chair & professional tournament chair; John Schiller, immediate past chair & sponsorship chair; Michael Patterson, Pro-Am chair; Brad Supple, special advisor to the committee; Gordy Rush, tournament food & beverage chair; Marielle Howard, marketing chair; Dick Briody, finance chair; Kendal Matassa, volunteer co- chair; Jude Barbier, volunteer co-chair; Mason Marsh, raffle chairman; Fred Reno, housing chair; Bryan Lindsay, The University Club; Rebecca Nelson, Taste of the Tournament chair; Sara Abercrombie, Taste of the Tournament auction chair; Ginger Kurlas, Taste of the Tournament food & beverage chair.

The Amedysis Pro-Am benefiting Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, took place at The University Club on Wednesday, June 10, in the format of a four person shamble - a team composed of three amateur golfers and a pro from the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series.

On Thursday, June 11, the $125,000 four-day event on the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series began with 144 players on the roster for the tour's Mid-Season Championship. The list included defending champion Dawie Van der Walt; Baton Rouge native and former LSU golfer Phil Schmitt; and 2006 champion Brian Kortan who played in the 2008 U.S. Open. A cut to the top 45 and ties was made after Friday's round.

Following professional play on Saturday, LSU Head Golf Coach Chuck Winstead and Adams Golf Pro Tour golfers took time to share their talents with a number of aspiring young golfers at the free Coca-Cola Junior Clinic. The youngsters received an hour of personal instruction, professional tips and pointers, and a free sleeve of golf balls. There was also a drawing for a set of junior clubs donated by Golfballs.com. By the end of the 72-hole professional event on Sunday, June 14, Dallas native and former University of Houston golfer Jeff Burns was 23-under for the tournament, taking home a check for $20,000 as the winner of the 2009 Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open. The event was free and open to the public.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for next year's tournament. For more information, please contact Jay Lyles at 225.215.1229, or by email at JayLyles@marybird.com. 

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.