LIHUE — The 6th annual Never Forget Sandy G. Golf Tournament is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 11 at Kauai Lagoons. The tournament is played in remembrance of Sandra Mendonca Galas, who on Jan. 25, 2006 was found murdered in her
LIHUE — The 6th annual Never Forget Sandy G. Golf Tournament is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 11 at Kauai Lagoons.
The tournament is played in remembrance of Sandra Mendonca Galas, who on Jan. 25, 2006 was found murdered in her car at her Eleele home.
Since the last tournament, action has taken place in Sandy’s case. Almost seven years after the murder, Darren Galas was arrested on Oct. 28, 2012 and is currently awaiting trial.
“The first step has been taken,” said Renae Hamilton, Executive Director of the YWCA. “However, we want to make sure we keep her name in the public eye as much as possible — she is a symbol for preventing violence against women.”
Registration for the tournament will start at 6:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 7 a.m.
The tournament is played in four-person teams, and at the time of this article, Hamilton said they have 16 teams registered.
There will be an awards luncheon following the tournament and there is an opportunity to win $25,000 for a hole in one.
Entry fee is $100, which includes green fees, golf cart and the awards luncheon.
Funds from the tournament will go to programs at the YWCA that attempt to end violence against women.
“If it wasn’t for the community lending support to the family and keeping it in the public’s mind, we wouldn’t be here,” Hamilton said. “All the effort makes a difference. It is a fun event but people are making a difference and now they can see some of that progress.”
For more information about the tournament go to www.ywcakauai.org or contact Kymm Solchaga, Director of Fund Development at 245-5959 extension 230. If you’d like more information about YWCA programs, please contact the YWCA at 245-5959.
If you have any additional information regarding this crime, please call the Kaua‘i Police Department at 241-1696.
“The YWCA is very happy for the family for this progress in Sandy’s case. They have worked tirelessly for the community to never forget their daughter and for other families to avoid this tragedy,” Hamilton said. “We invite our entire island community to join us on the 11th and help to ensure the success of the tournament and to aid the YWCA’s efforts to eliminate the violence that tragically affected the Mendonca family and our entire community.”
• Rick Killeen, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or sports@thegardenisland.com.
