The sounds of a bagpipe will officially kick off the third annual Loose Goose Wine Festival as golfers take to the greens in the Loose Goose Golf Classic at Robinson Ranch Golf Club on Thursday, Oct. 4.

Bagpiper James Gilmore, who is also an instructor at College of the Canyons, will lead a procession of golfers as they make their way to the links in this scramble format tournament benefiting the Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund.

Themed around golf, cigars and wine, the golf classic offers players a few surprises along the course designed to enhance the game experience. There is wine tasting at every par 3 hole, birdie packages, and three hole-in-one competitions with an opportunity to win a $100,000 wine cellar, Robinson Ranch Golf Club membership or trip to the Sanctuary Resort and Spa in Playa Azul, Costa Rica.

An evening wine-tasting awards reception will begin at 6 p.m. in the Robinson Ranch Cubhouse. Engraved double magnums of wine provided by Silkwood Wines of Modesto, Calif., will be awarded as trophies to tournament winners.

All proceeds from the golf classic will benefit the Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund.

Peter Goossens, founder and namesake of the Loose Goose Wine Festival, explains that Brenda Mehling was a close friend to many people involved as volunteers with the festival.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in her late 20s, Brenda founded the Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund to help other young adults maintain self-respect during treatment and minimize the stress of associated financial challenges.

The fund supports patients between 18 and 0 years old currently undergoing cancer treatment, covering services to meet daily needs, such as housing, co-payments, health expenses, rent, insurance and groceries.

Brenda ultimately lost her battle with cancer, but her vision and sacrifice continue to inspire through the work of the foundation that bears her name.

Individual spots for the golf classic are now available, along with limited foursome opportunities.

To register for the Loose Goose Golf Classic, phone Cathy Harper at (661) 799-9463 or visit www.bmcf.net or www.loosegoosewinefestival.com.

Other festival events include the Loose Goose Wine Pairing Dinners on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Salt Creek Grille and Mojito Caribbean Cuisine, and the main festival event in Bridgeport Park in Valencia, on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 5-10 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 7, from 1-5 p.m.

Sunday's admission includes a main stage concert performance by the Pete Escovedo Orchestra, featuring Sheila E.

Producers behind the mega-hit "American Idol" recently announced that Sheila E. has been selected as a judge on a three-member panel for the spin-off show "The Great American Band," premiering Friday, Oct. 19, on FOX.

About THE LOOSE GOOSE

Founded in 2005, The Loose Goose is a wine education and marketing company headquartered in Santa Clarita. The company draws upon Belgium-born founder Peter Goossens' passion and extensive knowledge of wine and culinary pleasures for its inspiration.

In addition to sponsoring wine related events and active participation in the non-profit sector, the annual Loose Goose Wine Festival held in Santa Clarita the first weekend in October is the company's signature event.

About the Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund

The Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund (BMCF) supports patients' ages 18-40 currently undergoing cancer treatment by helping young adults in treatment maintain self-respect by minimizing the stress of associated financial challenges.

The BMCF covers services to meet daily needs, such as home health care services, temporary housing, rent, insurance and food. The fund also covers co-payments required by many health plans for medical care. For more information, go to www.bmcf.net.