DECATUR - The long sleeves are a bit unusual for the warm temperature outside, but the big, floppy green hat is what is drawing the most attention.

Joanna Whitley hopes the attention will be put to good use by observers. Whitley, a professional golfer from Arizona playing on the Futures Tour, took to Hickory Point Golf Course this week with style as she sported her floppy hat both for her own protection against the sun and to raise awareness about skin cancer and an organization called the SHADE Foundation.

The SHADE Foundation was created in 2002 by Shonda Schilling, wife of Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, after she was diagnosed and treated for melanoma. One of the foundation's primary goals is to teach children about sun safety, Whitley said.

Whitley herself jumped on board to advocate for education about the risks of exposure both for her own health and for the health of the future generations, she said. She also has begun to raise money for the cause.

"I became worried about my skin, my health and what I would look like when I'm 50," she said. "And I wanted to change the paradigm of what's cool and appropriate to wear in the sun. I'm too good of a student to read about something potentially harmful and not do anything about it."

In the early years of her golf career, Whitley wore visors and short-sleeved shirts during her golf rounds, but still got burned on her head and noticed tans lines through her shirts. That's when she began treating her clothes in detergent made to protect against ultraviolet rays and wearing long-sleeve shirts and a large hat.

It's a practice at least one of her fellow tour members can appreciate. Kailin Downs, an Oregon native, was treated for melanoma a few weeks before the Futures Tour kicked off and now joins Whitley in slathering on sunscreen and wearing clothing with SPF in them.

"I think (what Whitley is doing) is awesome," Downs said. "I think more people need to be aware of it and take precautions."

Whitley is sponsored by a company called Coolibar, which provides her with protective hats, clothing and even bandanas. As far as she is concerned, she has no embarrassment about being a trend setter for the sake of her health.

"I feel comfortable looking weird but being safe from the sun," Whitley said.

Courtney Klemm can be reached at cklemm@herald-review.com or 421-6968.