Lori Bourn memorial tourney was a big success.

Byline: Bill Marsh

WEST BOYLSTON - Courage is contagious.

During Lori Bourn's four-year battle with cancer, her husband Peter Bourn, family and friends wore wrist bands with the words: courage is contagious. Longtime friend Lynn Valois had the inscription tattooed on her arm.

After Lori Bourn succumbed to the disease last year at the age of 44, family and friends wanted to celebrate her life and her courageous battle with cancer. The result was the Lori Bourn Memorial Golf Tournament.

Last Monday, on a beautiful summer day at the Wachusett Country Club, over 140 golfers turned out for the second annual tournament.

Peter Bourn, who still faithfully wears the wristband, was ecstatic over the outpouring of support in his wife's memory.

"It was a beautiful day, once again," Peter Bourn said. "I was reflecting back at how many people knew Lori, and there were many here that didn't (know her).

"Thank God they all came out to support a good cause," he said. "Lori was a great golfer and could beat me. It is fitting we have this tournament in her honor."

All proceeds from the tournament will be divided between a donation to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and a scholarship in Lori Bourn's name to graduating West Boylston High School college-bound seniors. The scholarship recipients from last year's tournament, all graduates of West Boylston High School in June, were Amanda McKernan, Kendra Sloan, Katie Fleming and Sarah Menendez.

Lori Bourn, an award-winning florist, was a community activist, who volunteered with the West Boylston Athletic Association (WBBA). The WBBA supports West Boylston High School athletics and other youth sports programs in the town.

The Bourns have two children, Lexi and Nash, who attend West Boylston Middle/High School.

Both Lexi and Nash Bourn, who are active in middle and high school sports, golfed in this year's tournament. Lexi is a senior at the high school, while Nash is in the eighth-grade.

"I can hardly describe how amazing this (tournament) is," Lexi Bourn said. "It is just awesome to get so many people to support this.

"So many of my mom's and dad's friends are here," she said. "We miss her every day, but this one day is dedicated to her.

"She was always involved in sports and supported me and my brother," Bourn said. "She loved golf and always golfed in the athletic association tournament."

Romney Sloan, another close friend of Lori Bourn's and a tournament volunteer, would often accompany her to Wells Beach, in...