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Rallying against cancer at Sebonack

June 29, 2011
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That one word accurately summarizes Sebonack Golf Club, host of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open. Located in Southampton, between Shinnecock Hills Golf Course and National Golf Links of America, the Jack Nicklaus/Tom Doak design could not have been built in a better setting. Rolling terrain and views of the Bay and Cold Spring Pond make missing fairways and quadruple-breaking putts perfectly okay.

But the stunning golf course didn't steal the spotlight on June 27th. One hundred and eight amateurs joined 27 LPGA Tour players, including Morgan Pressel, Brittany Lincicome and Hall of Famers Nancy Lopez and Karrie Webb, to rally against breast cancer at the 12th-annual LIFE (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer) Event. Founded by Val Skinner, a Golf Channel analyst and 10-time winner on the LPGA Tour, the fundraiser has become one of the most prominent charity events in women's golf. It honors all young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, but revolves around the inspiring story of Heather Farr, Skinner's friend and fellow LPGA player, who died of disease in 1993 at the premature age of 28.

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An emotional luncheon in Sebonack's two-story clubhouse included a video tribute to young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, along with speeches from three women who have recently survived the deadly condition: Jennifer Griffin, a national security correspondent for Fox News Channel, was diagnosed with stage 3 Triple Negative breast cancer while nursing her new baby; Jamie Ledezma underwent chemotherapy while 15 weeks pregnant (she eventually delivered a healthy boy, then endured four additional rounds and a bilateral mastectomy that left her cancer-free); and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz underwent seven surgeries related to breast cancer in 2008 while fulfilling her responsibilities as a member of the House.