They teed up at 4:10 Tuesday morning and drained their final putts just before sundown almost 17 hours later.
Golf pro buddies Myles Johnson and Jesse Crowe cruised around the Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club course 11 times and played two bonus holes to reach 200.
The duo combined for 74 birdies and a pair of eagles as they golfed to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The PGA of BC and its members donate their time and bodies to this cause annually.
“Myles was super hot on his home track, shooting low rounds of 64 and 65, twice, to finish 28-under par for the 11 rounds,” said the 34-year-old Crowe, head teaching pro at Salmon Arm Golf &CC.
“I usually outdrive Myles by 20, 30 yards, but by the eighth round, I was pretty worn out and he just kept crushing his tee shots past mine. He shot 65 in the ninth round. He’s in fantastic shape. This is an amazing event and even though my back feels like mush, it is nothing compared to what people living with ALS have to deal with every day.”
Johnson, 32, registered the eagles, on the 11th hole in the final round, and on No. 5 in the third round. He made 20-foot putts for both eagles.
“I spent about 20 minutes with one of those foam rollers downstairs when I got home and then I did 45 minutes of stretching at the gym this morning,” said Johnson. “I looked like an old man doing my stretching.”
Johnson and Crowe each rode in their own power cart and had a handful of caddies, including Spallumcheen men’s club champion and pro shop attendant Jarrett McNeal.
“It was men’s night and I started with two pledge sheets and they had to photocopy them four or five times,” said Johnson. “We got big support from those members and the guys were putting down money for their wives as well.”
The pair showed up in the dark and once Johnson took off his rain pants, noticed they had on identical blue shorts.
“I laughed and said, ‘I’m glad you got the memo,’” said Johnson.
The BCPGA expects to surpass $1 million mark in their ninth year of playing for ALS. Johnson pulled in $2,500 in pledges, while Crowe brought in $1,000 before attending men’s night Wednesday in Salmon Arm.
“The members and staff at Spallumcheen were amazing in helping us go around and around,” added Crowe.
“A huge thanks goes out to everyone who donated at Spallumcheen and the SalmonArm Golf and Country Club as well as everyone who donated on line at golfathonforals.ca. I can’t wait to do it again next year but maybe after a few sleeps and some ice.”
