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Walker Battling Breast Cancer, Outlook Positive For 21-Year LPGA Tour Pro Fans can post words of encouragement on LPGA.com Contact Laura Neal DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 23, 2003) - Colleen Walker, a member of the LPGA Tour since 1982 and a nine-time LPGA tournament winner, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Walker, who missed the 2000-02 seasons due to a wrist injury, was expecting to return to the Tour this year before a lump was detected during a routine mammogram on Jan. 6. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy and anticipates a full recovery and a return to competitive golf in 2004. "It's been a tough few months, but things are going well for me," said Walker, who lives in Valrico, Fla., with her husband, Ron Bakich, and 6-year-old son Tyler. "The outlook is very good. I waited a few months to make this public, but I feel like it's really important to tell this story, as it shows how routine mammograms and early detection can save women's lives. Thank God I kept my appointment." Following the initial detection on Jan. 6, tests confirmed the lump was malignant and Walker underwent a left breast mastectomy on Feb. 17. Subsequent tests showed no signs of further cancer, but Walker opted to undergo six sessions of chemotherapy, followed by radiation, as a precautionary measure. Through her treatment, which she expects to complete by the fall, Walker says she has an 80-85 percent chance of eradicating the disease completely. Walker's positive demeanor and friendly personality have made her a crowd favorite throughout her career. Fans wishing to send words of encouragement to Walker and her family can post messages on Walker's message board at LPGA.com (click on the green "Messageboards" box on the LPGA.com home page). Walker's fighting spirit off the golf course matches her competitive fire on, as the 46-year-old has amassed an impressive resume of golfing accolades throughout her very lengthy career. Walker dominated the amateur circuit in South Florida in the '70s, earning Athlete and Player of the Year honors from the Palm Beach Post in 1974. After winning the All-State (Florida) Golf Award in 1976, she went on to gain Most Valuable Player honors at Florida State University from 1977-78, where she graduated with a degree in marketing in 1978. Walker qualified for the LPGA Tour in January 1982 and posted numerous top-10 finishes before breaking into the winner's circle for the first time at the 1987 Mayflower Classic. She won once in 1988, 1990 and 1991 before posting her career-best season in 1992, winning three tournaments and finishing ninth on the season-ending money list. The most recent of Walker's nine victories came in 1997. She carded a 65 in the final round of the du Maurier Classic to come-from-behind and claim her first major championship victory. Walker then took two weeks off before returning to the Tour for another win, the Star Bank LPGA Classic. In addition to those two wins, 1997 was a most memorable year for Walker due to the birth of her son, Tyler Walker Bakich, on Oct. 7, just nine days shy of her nine-year wedding anniversary. Walker, who currently ranks 35th on the LPGA's all-time money list, hit a tree root during the first round of the 2000 Longs Drugs Challenge and tore cartilage in her left wrist. She underwent surgery and missed the remainder of the 2000 season, as well as 2001-02, rehabilitating the injury. During that time, she did compete on the Women's Senior Golf Tour and won the 2001 Hy-Vee Classic in Des Moines, Iowa. Most recently, Walker was inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame (April 2003). In April 1992, the LPGA named the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as its official national charity. The Komen Foundation has made remarkable strides in raising funds for advanced research into the disease and has provided further education for its early detection and treatment. The LPGA provides the Komen Foundation with another avenue through which to meet its goals and communicate its messages. |