21st annual “Tee Off Fore the Girls” brings hope and support to local cancer patients

NEKOOSA – The Lake Arrowhead community came together to support local women battling cancer at the 21st annual “Tee Off Fore the Girls” event on Sept. 10. The joy-filled event was the most successful ever, raising more than $35,000 for the Aspirus Riverview Foundation Women’s Cancer Fund, to deliver much needed hope and financial support for cancer patients.
Sold out since July, the event had 204 participants in a nine-hole golf scramble, games and luncheon at the Lake Arrowhead Pines Course and Clubhouse. The theme, “When you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine,” was evident with sunflowers everywhere, from the brightly decorated golf carts to the games to the commemorative suncatchers given to cancer survivors in attendance.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the amount of money that was raised for our Aspirus Cancer Center Women’s Fund,” said Becky Brown, CSW, oncology social worker. “Over the last year, these funds assisted in purchasing cold caps to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy, ice mitts for the hand and feet to aid in relieving neuropathy symptoms from treatment, home delivered meals, massage therapy for pain management and financial assistance with costs of daily living due to not being able to work due to advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment. With this generous gift, we will once again be able to provide local women with a tangible blessing to remind them that they are not alone in their cancer journey.”
Brown was one of the many Aspirus Health luncheon speakers, including Dr. Anna Olson, radiation oncology; Dr. Nicole Held, medical oncology and Lori Slattery, clinic manager. Also in attendance was Rebecca Fetterer, APNP, NP-C and Janel Sabatke, clinic supervisor.
“Battling cancer is often a difficult, expensive, and lonely experience. I love being part of this event because it surrounds local women with a community of support and kindness in a frightening time,” said Patty Smith, who co-chaired the event with Amanda Robinson and Julie Finbraaten. “We’re deeply grateful to everyone who volunteered and the local businesses and neighbors who donated so much to the event.”

The silent auction and gift basket raffle were the most successful in the event’s history. Donations included golf packages, jewelry, original art, 37 themed gift baskets, 50 golf hole sponsorships and even a signed football from the Green Bay Packers. Dozens of volunteers kept it running smoothly, including many men whose wives have been impacted by cancer. Rustic Redefined Boutique also presented a mother-daughter style show to wrap up the event.
A highlight of the afternoon was a moving speech from two-time cancer survivor and third-generation Lake Arrowhead resident Sandy Wein Zwick. “Last year at this event I realized what the power of being surrounded by a community can do to your spirit no matter what you are facing,” she told the crowd. “I am so grateful I played in Tee Off Fore The Girls and that it helped to shift my mindset about how to face my diagnosis. It came at the right point in time in my journey to help get me on a better road to healing not only physically but, more importantly, mentally.”
Planning is already underway for the 2026 Tee Off event. “This has really become an important event for the community,” said Smith. “The volunteers and sponsors go out of their way to make it a joyful day for everyone and we couldn’t be more grateful.”