Plumas Lake fixing seared greens

The Plumas Lake Golf and Country Club is working diligently to repair damaged greens - burned in the heat wave that hit the Mid-Valley in July - in time for the second annual Scramble “Fore” A Cure tournament Oct. 16.

The tournament, which is part of the local Pink October committee effort to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer patients, raised $36,000 last year. Committee chairpersons are hoping to hit $40,000 this year.

“Its an important tournament, not only to us, but for the purpose of the tournament - for breast cancer and cancer research,” Dave Looper, president of the golf club's board, said Friday. “We just felt it was a nice tournament for us to have, and they decided to have it at our place. ... We just felt kind of honored by that. That's one of the driving reasons behind working so hard to get this damage repaired.”

The damage and resulting repairs will add up to about $300,000, Looper said.

Jackie Sillman and Deb Coulter, co-chairwomen of the tournament committee, said Friday they were impressed with the club's commitment to getting the putting greens repaired for the four-person scramble competition.

“We were out there, and it is really coming along nicely,” Coulter said. “The fairways are gorgeous; they have temporary greens now, which could be played on, but they promised it would be done in time for the tournament.”

So far there are about 16 teams of four signed up, but the tournament can accommodate 38, Sillman said.

“We want to assure golfers that the greens are going to be fine,” she said. “We had already made the commitment to Plumas Lake, and they are coming through beautifully.”

The golf course is located near Arboga in south Yuba County.

The tournament is just one of many events to raise funds and awareness during Pink October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Coulter and Sillman both served on the Pink October Committee when it was created locally nine years ago.

The duo said they are hoping to start a new committee - if funds allow - that will help provide necessities and financial support to cancer patients, including wigs, transportation to appointments and even

help paying bills and rent.

“This is like a rejuvenation for us,” Sillman said. “And you don't have to be a golfer; it's all about the cause. And as has always been the case, the money stays locally.”

Anyone interested in joining the tournament can call Coulter at 822-7505 or Sillman at 749-4220. Cost per person is $110, and the tee prize includes ladies' and mens' styles of FootJoy golf shoes.

For more information on Pink October, log onto www.pinkoctober.org.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Kymm Mann can be reached at 749-4707 or kmann@appeal-democrat.com.