Pars for a Purpose charity golf tournament raises $14,745 for Cancer Connection

TURNERS FALLS — Those involved with the Pars for a Purpose charity golf tournament at Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club had a specific goal for the second iteration of the event. The goal was to surpass last year’s donation total, which was $9,300.

The community did that and more on Friday afternoon, with a total of $14,745 going to the Cancer Connection organization. The event sold out, with 19 teams of four players playing nine holes for charity. There were 48 sponsors altogether. The community donations came from 34 different towns in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Georgia.

Jennifer Murphy played a huge part in organizing the event.

“I was hoping for $9,301,” Murphy said. “Just trying to match it and maybe hit $10,000. That was the big goal. But just get one more dollar from the previous year.”

When Murphy saw the total on a spreadsheet displayed on a laptop, there was a moment of elated shock.

“This is our second year,” Murphy said. “How do we top that now?”

Everything began with a ceremony in the early morning hours before tee-off. Organizers read a message from former Turners Falls softball star Jenna Putala to the participants. In 2016, Putala was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma. Putala and her family have used the services of Cancer Connection.

Putala’s story provided an excellent example of how Cancer Connection assists cancer patients.

“We thought it would be a nice way to show people how it helps in the community,” Murphy said. “She was going to come, but she is not feeling well.”

An additional $10,000 came from the old Thomas Memorial corporation.

“It’s amazing when people come together,” Murphy said. “Everyone did a little bit it equals so much. With all the craziness in the world, this is such a wonderful and positive thing impacting people’s lives. Cancer sucks. Just helping people get through that journey.”

Chelsea Kline is the Executive Director of Cancer Connection. It’s the second year in a row the organization and the community got together to raise funds.

“The organizers decided they wanted to host an event people with a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers,” Kline said. “They unfortunately knew some people in their community and their circle and their family that had relied upon cancer connection services. So, they approached us and asked if we would be willing and if it would work out for us. We were jumping up and down and very grateful.”

The first Pars for a Purpose event last year shattered expectations. This year was no different.

“We knew they were doing a golf tournament,” Kline said. “We knew it was going to be their first year and it would be small and they would need to find their footing and find their way. It wouldn’t be a huge amount of money. It was out of the park. They knocked it out of the park. It was so well organized. This year it’s even bigger, it’s even better. I don’t know how they did it.”

Cancer Connection has a primary location on Locust Steet in Northampton, with another location in Springfield. There is a thrift store in Northampton with another coming in Springfield. Another befriending office is coming in Springfield as well. The 26-year-old organization helps cancer patients and their family in a multitude of ways.

“Our mission has not changed. We have never charged for our services and supports,” Kline said. “That’s what we aim to do. We have integrative therapies that we offer for people with a cancer diagnosis and also their caregivers.”

The foursome of TC Emerson, Liz Archer, Val Esquer and Jill Waldron took first place, shooting a 64. Joan Fitzgerald, Janet Small, Linda Hall and Kim Bergeron placed second (67). Robin Hartnett won the longest drive. Waldron also won the closest to the pin on the eighth hole (one foot, eight inches). Wendy Kendrick also won closest to the pin on the 12th (six feet, 11 inches). Closest to the line was a tie between Irene Woods and Terry Sall.