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Australian women pros launch calendar for breast cancer charity

Some of Australia's brightest golfing talent has been photographed by an award winning photographer in highly glamorous golf poses in aid of a breast cancer charity.

The project was founded by retired Professional Jenny Sevil, who knows first hand about some of the struggles emerging players, especially female, have in pursuing the highest levels of sport. Featuring the exciting talent was the easy part as the new age golfer recognizes the importance of publicity in gaining public and corporate support and the girls enjoyed the chance to present themselves as attractive and talented young ladies. Getting the golf industry to get behind it has been tougher, as the traditionalists seem reluctant to embrace the potentially good looking future of golf.

Golfers featured include current LET Rookie of the year Nikki Garrett (Miss November), daughter of golf legend Jack Newton, Kristie Newton (cover and Miss June) and rising star Sarah Kemp (Miss February) who has just blitzing her competition of late. All golfers are professional and are playing on either the LET, US LPGA and futures tours or in Japan. All are ALPG members.

The project nearly did not get off the ground, after the original appointed charity The National Breast Cancer Foundation, withdrew their logo after approving the images and wasted over $20,000 in re-print costs. Their claim of images of "perfect breasts" potentially causing distress to breast cancer sufferers was met with a public outcry and media frenzy in Australia who labeled the Foundation hypocritical considering their regular use of high profile models, actresses and scantily clad lingerie models to promote other fund raising events.

From left to right: Sarah-Jane Kenyon (Miss January), Sarah Kemp (Miss February) and Ladies European Tour Rookie of the Year Nikki Garrett (Miss November)

Fortunately we were able to align with another breast cancer charity - The McGrath Foundation, which was founded by Australian cricketer Glen McGrath and wife Jane, who is a breast cancer sufferer herself. Funds raised aid in the training and placement of specialist breast care nurses in hospitals throughout Australia and foundation did not have a problem accepting the generosity of the golfers, stating any community initiative to raise money for a worthy cause should be supported.

A percentage is also being donated to fund a scholarship program to assist young female golfers which will be held by the ALPG.

The calendar can be purchased worldwide through the calendar web site at www.womensgolfcalendar.com.

December 14, 2006