Men’s golf teams up against cancer

By: Zuhayr Alam

This year, instead of the traditional Tiger colors, the men’s golf team went to the course in brand new pink and grey uniforms. At first glance, this may seem like a random color choice for a school whose primary colors are red and black, but the story goes much deeper than that.

Pink is the color of breast cancer awareness, and some members of the team have been greatly affected by the deadly disease, so the team decided to use pink to honor the members of the team who had been affected.

Senior Sean Fernholz had the idea to switch uniforms.

“I wanted to switch it up from having the same uniform two years in a row and so did a majority of the guys,” Fernholz said. “It was my idea to get the new uniforms, but both me and my mom had the idea of using pink uniforms.”

Golf coach Dan Hensing was also for new uniforms.

“The only rule we had to follow was that all players needed the same uniform,” Hensing said. “There aren’t any restrictions on the colors of the uniforms.”

Senior Charlie Eastman’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011.

Charlie appreciated the uniforms.

“I thought they were sweet,” Charlie said. “It’s nice to see that the team went through with this great idea, and it’s nice to see all of this support.”

Charlie’s mother, Kristi Eastman, shares his view.

“It showed the solidarity of the team to support each other through good times and bad. Sometimes, kids think that they are the only ones going through difficult situations, but in reality, everyone has tough stuff to deal with,” Kristi said. “Several boys on the team have had moms, aunts and grandmothers affected by breast cancer. I thought it was very special that the team decided to wear pink.”

Matt Bauman lost his mother to breast cancer in the spring of 2012 after a long battle that had begun years before.

He uses the uniforms to remember his mother.

“She would always tell me to have fun with everything that I do,” Matt said. “Using the uniforms to remind me of what she said, I would always apply that to golf and make sure that I have fun with it.”

Matt’s father, Mark Bauman, agreed with him.

“My son, Matthew, lost his mother to breast cancer a few years ago, and I know at least one other golfer’s mother has been diagnosed,” Mark said. “I think it’s a nice tribute to those who have been diagnosed or affected by cancer.”

Other coaches in the district thought the uniforms were a nice gesture.

“I had coaches come to me and say very nice things after meets about our uniforms,” Hensing said. “They all thought it was very admirable.”

Bauman said he hopes that the uniforms stay a CFHS tradition.

“I just think that it’s really cool to support everyone going through breast cancer,” he said. “I hope that the uniforms continue from year to year and that the wonderful support continues.”