Oatlands Golf Club on Par with Gynaecological Cancer Research

24 May 2021

Congratulations to Oatlands Golf Club for hosting their 12th annual Barbara Koch Memorial Day, an event to honor club member and committee member Barbara Koch.

In the 12 years of hosting the Barbara Koch Memorial Day, the ladies of Oatlands Golf Club, supported by the Oatlands Ladies Bridge Club can proudly boast to raising more than $30,000 for gynaecological cancer research.

Lesleigh Perkins, Lady President of Oatlands Golf Club shares with us some insight into the history of this long standing fundraising event.

"Barbara joined Oatlands Golf Club in 1989 and remained a very loyal and loved member until she lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2009. Barbara served on the ladies committee for 4 years as our secretary and was also a member of the Oatlands Ladies Bridge Club" said Lesleigh.

Barbara Koch on course

"Prior to 2010 the ladies of Oatlands always played in a "Chip in for Cancer" day where the ladies donated money towards cancer reseach.

Upon Barbara's passing in 2009, the committee of the day changed this day to one in memory of Barbara. Charlie Koch, her husband, donated a trophy in her honour and so was born the Barbara Koch Memorial Day."

(L - R) Lesleigh Perkins (Lady President) with Barbara's husband Charlie Koch and Paula Skelton (Lady Captain)

The Barbara Koch Memorial Day has turned into one of Oatlands Golf Clubs major fundraising days with all proceeds on the day donated to WomenCan. The generosity of Oatlands members is unsurpassed, not only in the purchasing of raffle tickes but also in their very kind donations of prizes.

The Oatlands Ladies Bridge Club have also been very generous in supporting this fundraising event by contributing monetary donations as well.

"The Barbara Koch Memorial Day is so important to the ladies of Oatlands" adds Lesleigh "Many of our members have been affected by this insidious disease in some way or another, either by their own personal battle or by the loss of a loved one.

Any breakthrough in research can only assist in finding a cure for all types of cancer."

Players enjoying lunch at the 2021 Barbara Koch Memorial Day, all wearing Barbara's favourite colors - pink and purple

WomenCan would like to thank the committee and members at Oatlands Golf Club and Oatlands Ladies Bridge Club for their generosity and continued support.

If you are interested in hosting a similar event to raise much-needed funds for gynaecological cancer research, get in touch with the WomenCan team today.