The women of Kernwood Country Club fight cancer with Jimmy Fund Golf

Some people wear pink ribbons, others bake pink cookies, but Co-Chairs Robin Dale, Judi Karas, and the women of the Kernwood Country Club in Salem, Mass. swing their golf clubs to support women’s cancer research. In 2014, more than 200 women (70 of them golfers!) joined Dale on the golf course to raise more than $92,000 for cancer research.

I had the privilege of speaking with Robin Dale, Co-Chair of the Kernwood Country Club Swing to Support Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Golf Tournament and Luncheon, about her incredible event.

JF: Why did you become involved with the Jimmy Fund Golf program?
RD: When I started playing golf, there was another charity tournament that was being held at the club. I became involved with it and felt that something was missing. I spoke with [inaugural Co-Chair] Shari Dicker, a two-time cancer survivor, about wanting to raise money for cancer research and have it benefit people we knew – fundraising in our neighborhood – to make it feel more personal. She agreed and suggested getting in touch with the Jimmy Fund Golf team.

JF: How was your experience working with the Jimmy Fund Golf team?
RD: I was blown away by the support that we received. The staff helped me each step of the way and made the planning process so easy. I have also had the opportunity to get to know the staff over the past few years. They have taken this journey to fight cancer with us. They are family.

JF: Tell me about your golf tournament.
RD: It is a 14-hole tournament with a luncheon for the ladies of the country club. Our first event was in 2012 and we raised around $50,000. In 2013, we outdid ourselves and raised $70,000. This year we had a record number of golfers join for the tournament and more than 200 attendees at the luncheon and silent auction.

JF: Why do you think contributes to the success of your tournament?
RD: We keep things creative! In 2014, we even had a special “Martini Glow Ball” party to kick off the golf tournament that raised $16,000 and brought this year’s total to $90,000. Each year we have been getting bigger and better!

Dale, along with her Co-Chair Judi Karas, has helped raise more than $200,000 for women’s cancer research at Dana-Farber since the inaugural event in 2012. Their amazing fundraising efforts have helped the Jimmy Fund Golf Program surpass the $100 million milestone in funds raised since 1982. These amazing numbers help to advance the fight against cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Learn more about Jimmy Fund Golf.

K. Connors
Account Manager/Writer, Development Communications