Editor's note: An LPGA fan, Allen, wrote a letter to the LPGA Tour, sharing his story with Cristie Kerr to thank her for a great experience at the CN Canadian Women's Open.

Dear LPGA,

I wanted to share with you my first experience with the LPGA Tour, and in particular, an encounter with one of your brightest stars, Miss Cristie Kerr. It was Sunday, August 13, 2006, at the CN Canadian Women's Open held at the London Hunt and Country Club here in my hometown of London, Ontario, Canada.

I came with the hopes of meeting Miss Kerr. I had brought her a good luck charm that means more to me than she knows, but I hope you can tell her. I had read Cristie's story on her Web site “Birdies for Breast Cancer,” and I wanted to share with her a 25-cent piece issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, in collaboration with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The 2006 Pink Ribbon Coin was issued in the hopes of creating a future without fear of developing or losing someone we love to breast cancer.

I was lucky enough to have caught Cristie coming off the putting practice green, on her way to warm-up on the driving range prior to her round. I presented her the coin and said, “This is for luck today, Cristie!” I saw her look down at the coin, rub her thumb over the Pink Ribbon, then she smiled politely and thanked me. I responded by saying, “No, it is me that should be thanking you!”

I had hoped she WOULD carry the quarter around. It has brought me luck, and I just knew it would for her too. When Cristie and my fellow-Canadian Lorie Kane's (she signed my old school Canadian hat – I am so proud of it – thanks, Lorie!) tee time came, Cristie was eight strokes down. My brother and I had decided we would follow Kerr and Kane for the afternoon.

Talk about LUCK! Cristie had caught Angela Stanford for her first win this year, and I knew that with The Quarter, she would do it again. Eight strokes is a lot to overcome, but I knew she had luck on her side! By the time we had gotten to the 11 th, she had fired an amazing 5-under and was sitting just three shots back.

After Cristie had hit a beautiful drive at 11, she headed for her ball, and I yelled to her as we walked down the fairway together, “I gotta tell ya, I think it's The Quarter!” She looked over at me and with a smile and continued on her way.

Then she birded 12, and then 16!! Cristie Kerr was only one shot back!! You really could feel the emotion in the air; it was all so very exciting! I stood and watched as Cristie and Lorie putted out at 18, (Cristie's should have dropped) and from my vantage point, I could see the scoreboard show that Angela had bogeyed 17. The round was EVEN! Talk about LUCK! I was NOT moving from that spot 10 feet away from the hole on 18, four rows of people deep. I felt sorry for the other five rows behind me –

Cristie Kerr - "Since I have been involved in the fight to eradicate breast cancer, I have met many people along the way who have shared their stories with me. Barb and Al's courageous fight during difficult times and their love for each other is very uplifting for me and should inspire all those affected by this disease. During Breast Cancer Awareness month it is important to remember the Eaglesons' fight and cherish the ones you love."

I have a big head and a loud shirt!

I watched as Angela then bogeyed 18 to drop another stroke and the Championship! I felt so bad for Angela; she fought hard all week only to lose it on the last two holes. But talk about LUCK! I was on that cart path as Cristie Kerr was making her way to the 18 th green to collect her cheque and trophy for winning the Canadian Open!! She gave me a high five and I yelled above the crowd, “It must have been The Quarter!” She walked on another 10 feet or so, then spun around and looked at me with the biggest smile I have ever seen on anyone's face, and I swear I could hear her say through the cheers, “It was.” My brother swears he heard it too!

My knees went weak! The emotions that filled me at that moment are too wonderful for words. It made my day, no, make that week, no YEAR! The weekend is coming and I will be seeing more people to share this with. And, I'm telling them it was The Quarter – no offense to Cristie's incredible golfing skills (I wish I could hit them like that!).

That Quarter has been to the front lines of two battlefields now. I carried that Quarter with me on every chemotherapy and radiation treatment my wife, best friend, and soul mate of 20 years, Barb, has had to undergo this year. I wish I had it for all of last year too. My inspiration, my Schmoopy, is battling Stage IV Breast Cancer that has now spread to her lung, liver and bones. Her oncologists are not very optimistic about her prognosis, but they do not know my Barb very well yet, and they do not know how hard we (our circle of life) are going to fight this disease, they do not understand how much I love her, they do not understand Birdies for Breast Cancer, and they do not understand anything about a lucky Quarter. Barb's positive attitude and great sense of humor WILL carry her through this, regardless of what her doctors have to say.

However, there is more research that needs to be done to help other women get past this absolutely devastating plague. I passed that Quarter on to Cristie Kerr in hopes that it will remain lucky for her too. I hope and pray its luck can move on to a higher mission now, as the ball marker for Birdies for Breast Cancer. Please wish Cristie continued good luck and good health for herself and her family and friends (her circle of life). I read an article in our local paper (The London Free Press), when interviewed after one of the most exciting comebacks in recent LPGA history, Cristie could only describe her round as “magical”. Who am I to argue, eh? Cristie Kerr has found a warm spot in my heart because of her actions on and off the field of play.

Thank you, LPGA, for a GREAT experience!

Allen (Al) Eagleson
London, Ontario, Canada

Cristie Kerr received a copy of Al's letter and was so touched, she personally contacted Al and Barb to thank them and also sent the couple a framed photo of her CN Canadian Women's Open win. In addition, Kerr presented the Eaglesons with a $5,000 donation for the breast cancer charity of their choice in the London, Ontario, area. Kerr plans to carry "The Quarter" with her as she plays for continued good luck the rest of the season.

The LPGA was notified that Barb Eagleson lost her fight against breast cancer and passed away Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006 at approximately 6 p.m. Read the Online with Laura tribute to Barb. Click here>>

For more information on Cristie's Birdies For Breast Cancer foundation, visit www.birdiesforbreastcancer.com.

Read stories focusing on the LPGA and its players' efforts in the fight against breast cancer, get facts on prevention and learn how you can help the cause. More>>

Read more about Cristie Kerr and the lucky quarter at the London Free Press. Click here>>