'Pink Out' at Colonial inspires, raises awareness

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PGA TOUR players, including Woody Austin, joined in the "Pink Out" campaign at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.

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Pink, by far, is the color of choice for most little girls all over the country. It happens to be my favorite color as well. On May 30, though, at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, pink was a favorite color for many men, too.

Officials from the tournament worked together with the PGA TOUR Wives Association and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to declare Saturday's round a "Pink Out" to support Amy Mickelson's recent diagnosis of breast cancer. Not only were the TOUR players sporting all shades of pink, but fans, volunteers and officials wore the color, too. I must say all of the golfers playing that day have never looked so good. After all, it takes a REAL man to wear pink.

Sitting back and watching from the sidelines, I couldn't help but be inspired. It is pretty safe to say that almost everyone has been affected by breast cancer in one way or another. Each year I run in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, with thousands of others, to support women everywhere affected by breast cancer. This year I ran in memory of my grandmother and in celebration of two close family friends. This is by far one of the most rewarding things I do all year.

Needless to say, I was very touched by the collaboration that Saturday and I did not have any trouble picking out a pink outfit from my closet, already overflowing with clothes of that color. I was a part of "Amy's Army," which represented strength and courage for women everywhere fighting in the battle of their lives.

The pink impact of "Amy's Army" was seen and felt by everyone on that powerful Saturday. For this one day, all agreed to come together to take on this devastating disease. Through hope, support and determination, Amy Mickelson will continue her battle against breast cancer, as will the many other brave women battling the disease all over the world.

Thanks to the PGA TOUR and its fans, the color pink has never been so strong.

Jessica Lovell, a sales assistant for PGATOUR.COM, was wearing a lovely shade of pink when she wrote this essay.