The popular four-person Ambrose event with a shotgun start is played in memory of Kylie Bear who died of ovarian cancer in 2012.

Organiser of the charity event, Jason Bear, who is Kylie’s cousin, said Kylie was only 34-years-old when she was lost to the disease.

“Kylie had previously been misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome as the symptoms are quite similar,” Jason said.

“Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed incorrectly and symptoms are ignored or accepted as being associated with other illnesses, which then reduces the possible treatment time-frame once correctly diagnosed as it is often discovered too late before it is incurable and not treatable. 

“Unfortunately this was the case for Kylie.”

In order to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and funds for research into a cure, Jason organised a charity golf day at South West Rocks in 2014. 

With a target of $5,000 the support of the local businesses and community raised more than $10,000. The event was held again in 2015 and aimed at beating the previous year’s total and although the 18-hole event was reduced to only a 9-hole competition due to torrential weather on the day, more than $12,500 was raised.

Two weeks ago Jason was contacted by the fundraising and events co-ordinator of Ovarian Cancer Australia to inform him that the South West Rocks Ovarian Cancer charity golf day had been selected to feature on their website as one of the top three fundraising events nationwide. 

“As part of their new website they are able to highlight three events from around Australia and they chose our event due to how unique it is compared with other ovarian cancer fundraisers,” Jason said.

“Having a local event that is relatively new and about to go into its third year of running, being nationally recognised is a huge achievement and would not have been possible without the support from local businesses, individuals and the community and they contributed greatly to the on-going success of the event.”

The South West Rocks Ovarian Cancer charity golf day will be held at South West Rocks Golf Course on Friday, February 19 from 8.30am and is $50/person which includes green fees, barbecue lunch, two drinks and prizes.

Anyone can make a tax deductible donation towards the South West Rocks Ovarian Cancer charity golf day by clicking this link. 

Any businesses wishing to sponsor a hole and display their signage can do so with a contribution of $100. Donations of prizes are also greatly appreciated.