UNDER a threatening sky, golf carts are trundled across the undulating landscape of the North Shore Golf course. Paula Boon stands overlooking the green where golfers will soon congregate to play in an annual event dedicated to the memory of her sister, pro golfer Anita Boon.
"When I was very young, we were in a competition with Mum and Dad. Mum was with Anita. My ball hit a sheep. I was devastated apparently," says Ms Boon, adding that she never played again. But her sister went on to become a New Zealand golf representative, winning the Marilynn Smith Trophy for New Zealand Golfer of the Year in 2001.
Eight years later, aged 36, Anita lost her battle with ovarian cancer, just weeks before her friends teed off for a tournament in her memory.
Three years on, the Anita Boon Pro-Am tournament has doubled in size and is the second biggest women's professional golf tournament in the country. New Zealand Pro Women's Golf charitable trust board member Vicki Aitken was part of the initial group that approached Anita with the concept. Ms Aitken says her friend would be pleased with the tournament's progress.
"I think she'd be really proud. She wanted to hang on for the first tournament, but she didn't quite make it."
This year the tournament - previously held at the Huapai golf course, where the Boon girls' father was green keeper - will run over two days, and men will be given the opportunity to take part. "Anita will be pleased that men can get in there," says Ms Boon.
Enticing female professionals and amateurs alike, the tournament will see teams battling it out over 18 holes for a first-place prize of $3700.
"We're expecting spaces to fill up quickly," says Ms Aitken. "It's on a first-in first-served basis. Put it this way, we had a waiting list last year."
At the heart of the event is the aim to raise awareness of gynaecological cancer.
"I think, firstly I hope it makes women a bit more aware. I never knew about it until Anita got sick," says Ms Boon.
"Anita had said that that if the Pro-Am saved one woman's life it would be worth it as ovarian cancer - sometimes called the silent killer - has symptoms that can often be mistaken for other more common and less serious health issues. It also does not show up in a pap smear," she says.
The tournament is supported by the Gynaecological Cancer Foundation and Ms Aitken says awareness will be incorporated into the event.
"When they come in for their glass of champagne, there'll be a DVD from their latest campaign," says Ms Aitken, nodding towards the oversized screen on the wall in the golf-course club rooms.
Sponsored by KFC Grilled, proceeds will go to the New Zealand Gynaelogical Cancer Foundation.
rebecca.blithe@theaucklander.co.nz
To find out more about the NZPWG Anita Boon Pro-Am golf tournament, held on November 3 and 4, go to www.nzpwg.com
