The Men’s Golf Association at Devils Ridge is gearing up for the 6th Annual Devils Ridge Charity Golf Classic to aid in the fight against Prostate Cancer. In the five years of holding this event, the Men’s Golf Association has raised more than $140,000, which is donated to the Prostate Cancer Coalition of North Carolina. This is due in a large part to their major sponsors who include the Cancer Centers of North Carolina, the founding sponsor, Rex Healthcare, an Elite sponsor, and Duke Medical, a Platinum sponsor, as well as other major sponsors including North Carolina Urological Associates, the Carolina Hurricanes, Continental Airlines, Cary Urology, Crescent State Bank, Landmark Urology, Capital Bank, and Four Oaks Bank.

The Men’s Golf Association (MGA) at Devils Ridge golf club recognizes that, if caught early through increased awareness, early detection, and “best practices” treatment, prostate cancer survival rates are nearly 100%. The MGA joined the fight against prostate cancer in 2005 by hosting a Charity Golf Classic at Devils Ridge. This year they will host the 6th annual Devils Ridge Charity Golf Classic to fight Prostate Cancer on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010.

Prostate Cancer is a serious problem for men because in its early stages, it tends to not have any symptoms. During prostate cancer’s early silent stages, patients are effectively treated in 97% of cases. A patient diagnosed with prostate cancer after experiencing physically uncomfortable symptoms can be treated successfully in only about 30% of the cases. The facts are clear: early diagnosis increases chances of recovery dramatically.

Yet today only about 40% of men take the necessary screening tests. This is one reason why the MGA has again chose PCCNC to be the beneficiary of its tournament. The PCCNC was founded in 2001 to focus on three goals: (1) raising awareness of prostate cancer, (2) promoting actions to battle this disease including screening tests for early detection, (3) coordinating efforts of the coalition statewide. It is staffed primarily by volunteers and is a not-for-profit organization with a goal of reducing the Prostate Cancer death rate in NC by 50% in five years.

Mary Anderson is the Executive Director of PCCNC, the organization founded by her father, Robert (Bob) Anderson, before his untimely death from prostate cancer. “He wanted other men to avoid some of the fear and terror he had felt when he was first diagnosed with a cancer that he’d never even considered before. Through the PCCNC my Dad built networks to promote prostate cancer awareness, early detection and “best practices” care.”, she says. For more information on Prostate Cancer and the ongoing work of the PCCNC, see www.pccnc.org.

The tournament will be held on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 in Holly Springs at the Devils Ridge Golf Club, one of the premier private clubs in the area. The $75 entry fee will entitle the participant to a continental breakfast, range balls, golf, cart, gift bag, beverages, and lunch and includes entry into hole-in-one contests, with the opportunity to win a new Mercedes. The tournament will begin with sign-in and breakfast starting at 7:45 and a shotgun start at 9:00AM. Format will be a modified Texas scramble, with prizes for team low net in three different flights with total prize value being $1800. There will be prizes for other contests as well (e.g. closet to pin, best drive and putting contest). Individual (male & female), couples and foursome registrations will be accepted.

With registration for The Devils Ridge Charity Golf Classic now in full swing; if it is your plan to play in this prestigious event now is the time to get your registration form submitted. (This event has been sold out every year for the past 5 years.) Registration forms are available at Devil Ridge Pro Shop and can be down loaded on the Devils ridge website www.devilsridgecc.com or call Marty Erb at 919-285-3693.

Raffle tickets are also available for great raffle prizes worth thousands of dollars including

• 2 Continental Airline ticket for any of their destinations in North America, Central America, Mexico or the Caribbean

• Numerous Gift Certificates for Golf ( Foursomes) and fine dining

Raffle tickets are $5 each or a book of 5 tickets for $20. Hopefully, you will be playing, but if you would like to purchase raffle tickets in advance, contact Cary Ludwig by return email to caryludwig@yahoo.com or by phone 919-557-7254. You needn’t be present to win.

Come out and support our efforts in the fight against prostate cancer.