Pine Mountain Lake Lady Niners Give $10,000 to Support Cancer Patients

The Pine Mountain Lake Lady Niners are more than a golf club – they are a force for good. Claudia Day, who has lived in Groveland for 25 years, joined the Lady Niners last year, finally giving in to friends who kept encouraging her to golf with them.

“I always thought golf was so boring, I won’t do that until I’m older,” Claudia laughs. “Well, now I’m older.”

With about 30 members, the group is small but mighty, Claudia says, while also being deeply kind. “They were so supportive as I was learning how to play, and I think we’re like that with the community more broadly, too.”

Every October for the last 7 years, the group has organized a golf tournament to benefit Adventist Health Sonora’s Cancer Patient Support Fund, which helps local cancer patients and their loved ones remove financial barriers to care and focus on their treatment and healing.

Claudia spearheaded the committee organizing the tournament this year, and under her leadership, they brought together over 70 golfers and netted $10,000, bringing the total amount they’ve given over the years to more than $25,000.

“If you tell me something is a fundraiser, I’m going to raise as much money as possible,” Claudia says. “I have no problem asking for money.”

She opened the tournament to men for the first time this year – “Why not? They love to golf!” – doubling turnout from the prior year’s tournament. She also encouraged the group to be inclusive of fundraising for not only patients with breast cancer but all cancers to widen the tournament’s impact.

For Claudia, the cause is personal. A two-time breast cancer survivor, Claudia’s first diagnosis came when she was just 36, a mother with three young children.

“When I was going through it, I would always think, when I’m on the other side, I am going to help other people,” she says. “I know these people are going through a really tough time, and this fund makes a huge difference for them.”

Thank you, Claudia, and all the women of the Pine Mountain Lake Lady Niners for your incredible support of our patients! We are humbled by your dedication and generosity.