'Pink Out' set Saturday in fight against breast cancer
By PGATOUR.COM staff
Tree trunks at Colonial Country Club this week already are swaddled in pink ribbons.
On Saturday, though, the full measure of support for Amy Mickelson and other women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer will be evident during the "Pink Out" at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.
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PGA TOUR players and their wives and caddies will be wearing pink that day to help promote awareness for breast cancer research. Fans going to the course Saturday are encouraged to do the same, and contributions to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation will be collected.
While Phil and Amy Mickelson won't be in Fort Worth, they already have been touched by the initiative.
"When we heard about the TOUR Wives, PGA TOUR, and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial organizing the 'Pink Out,' we both had tears rolling down our faces," Mickelson said in a statement posted on his Web site.
"That is such an incredibly thoughtful gesture, not only for Amy, but for the 200,000 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. I know it will mean a lot to them, too.
"Please know how much your love and support is appreciated at this difficult time."
Mickelson would have been defending his title at Colonial this week, but he suspended his schedule indefinitely last week after his wife was diagnosed. The two met in 1992 and were married in 1996. The couple has three children.
"Amy is such a supportive and loving life partner," the three-time major champion said. "She has always put me and our family first. Now it's time for her and her health to come first and as we face this challenge together.
"We have a wonderful team of doctors helping us and it is believed that we caught this early. We are anxiously waiting for a number of test results that will help guide us in the best possible direction."
The pink clothing will be the most visible sign of support, but fans will be able to donate to the Koman foundation and receive a pink breast cancer pin at the main entrances and concession stands at Colonial.
A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes in the United States and every 29 seconds around the world. There are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., though -- which makes up the largest group of cancer survivors.
"The thoughts and support of the entire Susan G. Komen for the Cure Network are with Amy Mickelson as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer," said Hala Moddelmog, the organizations' president and CEO and an eight-year survivor.
"Her community of co-survivors, including her husband, children, healthcare team and the entire golfing community, demonstrates the vital role that a strong network of support plays for anyone facing cancer."
In addition to the "Pink Out," fans can sign a banner of support at the par-3 13th hole at Colonial. The banner will be sent to the Mickelson, as will more than 1,000 e-mails that PGATOUR.COM has collected from fans.
"The PGA TOUR is one large traveling family and as such, the wives can't help but be close and depend on one another as we travel from tournament to tournament," said Amy Wilson, wife of TOUR pro Mark Wilson and president of the PGA TOUR Wives Association. "... We are touched this week at the outpouring of love and support for one of our own.
"Amy Mickelson is a strong and courageous woman. She is an inspiration."
Last Sunday at the HP Byron Nelson Championship, Rory Sabbatini wore a pink shirt and ribbon on his cap en route to winning the title. Other players also wore pink, but this is the first organized show of support at a TOUR event.
"We try to beat each other's brains out here week in and week out, but we're kind of like a family out here," said Rich Beem, the 2001 PGA champion. "Something happens to one person on this TOUR. I think you'll see a lot of people rally around and support and try to help out the best they can.
"It's unfortunate what happened to Amy but she and the Mickelsons have the full support ... of the PGA TOUR and every player that plays out here."
Steve Stricker said he expects to see a lot of pink inside and outside the ropes at Colonial on Saturday.
"It really hits your heart when somebody (in our) extended family out here on TOUR, people that we spend time with whether it's at a tournament or some of these team events ... and something like this happens, it really throws you for a loop," Stricker said.
"You don't expect that to happen but it's there and our prayers go out to the Mickelson family. But the awareness level jumps to another level when the TOUR starts putting that at the forefront. It sounds like a lot of people are going to be wearing pink on Saturday and a lot of people will see that and bring some awareness."
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