Date: March 23, 2009
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Fiona Pike loses battle

Skin Cancer Awareness campaigner and former professional golfer Fiona Pike passed away late last week after an almost four year battle with melanoma. The 44 year old South Australian&aposs professional career spanned a combined eight years across the LPGA and Ladies European Tours. In an interview with Golf Australia at the Women&aposs Australian Open at Metropolitan Golf Club, Pike reflected on her career. For more than 13 years I enjoyed an endless summer following the pro golf tour across the globe which ensured career highlights of third in the British Open and runner-up in the Italian Open, Pike said. She was unlucky enough to be part of the one percent of those diagnosed with melanomas to experience no warning signs and underwent a major operation. Despite the fact that her melanoma was not caused by skin exposure to ultraviolet rays, she is spreading the skin cancer awareness message to all of those who go out in the sun. Current professionals including Laura Davies, Katherine Hull and Karrie Webb endorsed her efforts in autograph signings at her site in the village at Metropolitan Golf Club. Pike was the South Australian Amateur Champion in 1993 and 1994 and in 1994 finished runner up at the Australian Amateur Championship before turning professional in 1995. She also finished third in the 1999 Women&aposs British Open.