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For the Good of the Game

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After his own cancer scare, Ed Sanchez developed an organization that collects and sells used golf clubs to support other survivors.

BY CHRISTI WHITTEMOREPublished: September, 2009

Ed Sanchez is on a charitable mission (PHOTO: Eddie Meeks).
Ed Sanchez is making the most of his second chance.
    
After prostate biopsies revealed cancer cells in November 2006, Sanchez followed a course of homeopathic and alternative medicine that led to nearly normal test results in 2008. He then founded Clubs Fore Cancer, a nonprofit organization that collects donated golf clubs and equipment to sell on eBay. All proceeds support cancer survivors, their families or junior golf programs.

“Everybody who plays golf has clubs in their garage that they aren’t using,” said Sanchez, who has lived and worked in the Temecula Valley for 22 years.

Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center in Murrieta is one of the groups that has benefitted from Sanchez’s efforts.

“We have a lot of single moms who are dealing with breast cancer who can’t afford food, utilities, gas or the like,” said Kim Goodnough, executive director of Michelle’s Place. “We know Ed’s organization is there to draw on.”

Young golfers also benefit through Clubs Fore Cancer’s support of scholarships and other programs. In addition, Sanchez said, clubs that don’t sell on eBay are donated to youth groups.

“What we’re doing is recycling, essentially, with added benefits for everyone involved,” Sanchez said.

That includes tax deductions for club donors, many of whom play on the Golden State Golf Tour. Local clubs and Southland golf associations also have been supportive, and Sanchez is recruiting golf equipment retailers, such as Temecula Valley Golf Shop, to serve as club drop-off sites.

Goodnough added that “collaboration is key” for nonprofits, and Michelle’s Place keeps a golf bag handy for donated clubs.

“We have a golf tournament each year, and quite a few golfers are among our donors,” she said.

For more information, visit clubsforecancer.org.




Readers Feedback:

Saw the item in Southland Golf (Sept 2009) and wanted to know if the clubs you are soliciting can be used. I am getting new set of Cleveland irons and have original set (irons) of Ping Eye, and set of Callaway (irons) X-18 which I was going to trade. If you could use them for Golf Fore Cancer let me know and they are yours. Thanks. Wes England
Comment at 9/13/2009