Rockland Women’s Golf Association (RWGA) and Pen Bay Waldo Healthcare Foundation (PBWHF) had a successful Midcoast Cancer Classic this past August with over 100 golfers participating in this event that raises money for cancer patients at Pen Bay Medical Center.  This tournament, formerly the Midcoast Breast Cancer Classic for 7 years, was opened up this year to include all types of cancer. Over $44,000 was raised this year due to the tremendous support from local businesses, individuals, volunteers, and dedicated players who support the efforts of the golf committee. An anonymous benefactor presented the committee a challenge last fall in that if we raised $20,000, it would be matched. The challenge was met and we are grateful for the generosity of the donors. Without the help and sponsorship from local businesses and individuals, the tournament would not be the success it is today.

Keenan Flanagan, pro and manager of the Rockland Golf Club, organized the players with the help of his staff making sure the golf course was ready to take on 112 golfers. Sandbaggers Café provided an excellent luncheon for this event with Laugh Loud Smile Big providing the dessert. The RWGA members on the tournament committee were: Kathy Sprowl, Diana Sommers, Helen Plourd, Martha Bouchard, Jan Staples, Sue Wootton, Kathy Macpherson, Marty Jones, and Joni Hall. Jamie Geretz and Jodi Herbert from the PBWHF provided administrative support.

Eagle Sponsors ($1,000) were:  Theresa A. Harrington “In Memory of Dan & Llada Flanagan” and several Anonymous Donors.

Birdie Sponsors ($500) were: First National Bank, Machias Savings Bank, Medical Case Management Group – the Besch’s, and Rockland Ford.

Par Sponsors ($250) were: Burpee Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Center for Contemporary Art, Fisher Engineering/Douglas Dynamics LLC., Edward Jones/Camden & Lincolnville, Grasshopper Shop of Rockland, Jo Ellen Designs, Kennebec Pharmacy & Home Care, Mount Pleasant Dental Care, Needful Things and Services Inc. / Wen-U-Need-Us Storage, Prock Marine Company, Rockland Savings Bank FSB, RW Baird-Hall Ogier Group, The Ripple Initiative, and Wallace Events.

Tee Sponsors ($100) were: Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, Brooks Trap Mill Inc., Bruce Gamage Antiques, Chuck at Herrick’s Garage, Eastern Tire & Auto Service, Eric’s Barber Shop, Fitzy LLC., Fusion Audio Video, George C. Hall and Sons, Inc., Glen Cove Dental Associates, Goose River Women’s Association, GPI Custom Picture Framing, Gray’s Heating Oil’s, Green Thumb, Green With Envy Salon and Spa, Hamlin & Son Inc.,  Hannaford -Rockland, Horch Roofing Inc., Hot Wax Auto, “In Memory of Catherine Johns”, “In Memory of Foster E. Farrell”, “In Memory of Marcia Meador”, “In Memory of Mary Butler”, “In Memory of Ruth C. Farrell”,  Jess’s Market,  Journey’s End Marina, Kenniston Machine Co., Key Bank, Knight Marine Service, Lauren C. Hall at Strout & Payson, PA, Maritime Energy, Masters, Fowlie & Engelberg, CPA’s, Midcoast Federal Credit Union, Offshore Restaurant, Port Harbor Marine, Inc., Rock Harbor Pub & Brewery, Raye Insurance, Inc., RWGA – “In Memory of Cathy Hannemann”, Samoset Resort, Sea Dog Brewing Company LLC., Shepard Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Inc., The Drouthy Bear, The Pitch, Theo B. Camisole & Co., Thomaston Grocery, WalMart- Thomaston, Val & Richard Rohrer and Lillian & Bob Till. 

Many other businesses made generous donations to the tournament; Hole-In-One Sponsor: Fuller Chevrolet, Media Sponsor:  Courier Publications, Graphics Sponsor: Adventure Advertising and Gift Bag Sponsors were: Allen Agency, Horch Roofing, Camden National Bank, General Motors, Pen Bay Waldo Healthcare Foundation, Bixby Bars and Theo B. Camisole. 

Raffle/Prize Donors were: Admiral’s Buttons, Breakwater Vineyards, Coppola Salon and Day Spa, Cotton Garden, East of Java, Ellis Cohn, Fiore, Fresh Off the Farm, Golf & Ski Warehouse, Good Tern Co-op, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hannaford’s, Home Depot, Janice Ogier, Jennifer Murray, John Paul & Co., Knox County Retired Educators Assoc., Leonard’s, Level 10 Salon, Lowes, Mani Q. Spa, Monhegan Boat Line, Moose Crossing, PBWHF, Pen Bay YMCA, Ralph Hamill, MD, Rheal Day Spa, Rock City Employees Co-op., Rock Harbor Pub & Brewery, Rockport Lobster, Shaw’s Supermarket, Sister’s Two Hair Design, Uncle Willy’s, Wiggin’s Meat Market, Martha Bouchard, Jamie Geretz, Joni Hall, Marty Jones, Kathy Macpherson, Helen Plourd, Diana Sommers,  Molly Mugler, Kathy Sprowl, Jan Staples and Sue Wootton.

The Dine-around Raffle was a successful venture again this year. Those restaurants making donations were: 18 Central Grill & Oyster Bar, Ada’s Kitchen, Applebee’s – Thomaston, Barrettstown Farmhouse, Café Miranda, Clan MacLaren, Close to Home,  Fresh, Harbor Dogs, Hills Seafood Co., Home Kitchen Café, McLoons Lobster Shack, Park Street Grille, Primo, Rhumbline, Rock Harbor Pub & Brewery, Rockland Café,  Samoset, Southend Grocery, The Landings, The Pearl/Eclipse, The Waterfront, Trackside and Wasses.

Many golf courses donated rounds of play for the prizes. Those clubs making donations were: Bath Golf Club, Goose River Golf Club, Hermon Meadows, Natanis Golf Course, Northport Golf Club, Poland Springs Golf Course, Rockland Golf Club, Searsport Pines Golf Club, Sheepscot Links Golf Club, Turner Highlands Golf Course, Val Halla Golf Course and Wawenok Golf Club.

 Volunteers helping were: Mary and Ernie Benner, Nancy Eugley, Gail Robishaw, Sandra Lundquist, James Murray, Jennifer Murray, Bob Sommers, Val Rohrer and Natasha Westbrook.

Midcoast Classic Patient Assistance Funds are available to Pen Bay Medical Center oncology patients.  For more information on how to apply, please contact Catherine Athay, PBMC Oncology Social Worker at 207-921-8977 or by email at Cathay@pbmc.org.