T
he Seventh Annual Tim
Venturi Bladder Cancer
Awareness Golf Tourna-
ment was held March 25 at
Classic Club, and with close to
130 participants, hundreds of
dollars in tee gifts, and sincere
appreciation and honor at the
heart of the event, it was an-
other resounding success.
But the real success comes
through understanding the
history of and motivation be-
hind the tournament. In 2009,
Tim Venturi, who lives in the
Coachella Valley, was diag-
nosed with bladder cancer.
After several months of
painful treatment, a routine
surgical procedure that turned
complex, a coma, and a re-
markable recovery, Venturi
was ultra motivated to thank
the medical professionals who
saved his life.
"I initially began this tourna-
ment as a way to thank, and
give back to, the doctors and
medical professionals who had
a hand in my care," Venturi
said. "This was a chance for me
to honor them, and even this
year, in our seventh year, we
had six medical professionals –
including Dr. Herb Ruckle –
participate who were in the op-
erating room with me and part
of the team that saved my life."
In addition to providing an
enjoyable day on the course
for those memorable players,
Venturi's goal with the tourna-
ment has always been to
spread awareness regarding
bladder cancer.
"More than dramatic fund-
raising efforts, it's important
that this tournament raise
awareness of bladder cancer, a
disease not many people know
much about," Venturi said. "To
date, this tournament has
saved the lives of five people
who got tested as a direct re-
sult of attending this event. If
that's all this tournament does,
we will consider it a success."
This year's tournament in-
cluded on-course prizes and a
luncheon and awards cere-
mony. Special touches this year
included a tribute to Tim's late
father and broadcaster Ken
Venturi, and the late Bobby
Thomas, a close friend of Ken
Venturi's.
lIfE sAvEr
Tim Venturi Bladder Cancer Awareness Golf Tournament is a big success
SAVE THE DATE!
ON THE TEE
FOR CHARIT Y
H
ere's a look at the
charity golf tourna-
ments coming up over
the next few months at
Classic Club:
>> Kids in Crisis will
hold a golf tournament
on April 2. Call (760)
601-3600 for more de-
tails and to register.
>> The Coachella
Valley Boxing Club will
hold its annual tourna-
ment on April 17 to
raise money for its youth
programs for kids. Call
(760) 863-0950 for more
details and to register.
>> The FBIAA Chi Chi
Rodriguez G-Man
Desert Shootout will be
held on May 12-13 to
raise money for college
scholarships for the chil-
dren of FBI agents killed
in the line of duty. CLICK
HERE for more details,
or email gmga@sbc-
global.net or call (888)
248-2300.
chArITy gOlf EvEnTs
> C L I C K H E R E T O C O N TA C T C H A R I TA B L E S A L E S & M A R K E T I N G M A N A G E R D I A N E P L I C H TA O R C A L L ) 7 6 0 * 6 0 1 ( 3 6 7 9
BOOK
A TEE
TIME
From left: Ken Venturi, Tim
Venturi, and Dr. Herb Ruckle.
