Pro golfers from local courses will soon be doing all they can on the greens to raise money and awareness for patients suffering from a fatal disease, one that can happen to anyone.
Commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS ) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that typically leaves a person immobilized or deceased within two to five years of the initial diagnosis.
In June, Eagle Ranch Resort, Copper Point Golf Club and Windermere Valley Golf Course will all be participating in the 2012 PGA of BC Golfathon for ALS. Golf pros from each of these courses will golf as many holes as possible on their respective days and fundraising takes place leading up to the event.
Last year, five East Kootenay golf courses participated and collectively raised over $13,000, “which is amazing,” said Wendy Toyer, the executive director for the ALS Society of B.C.
Each course has its own fundraising campaign but people also have the option of donating online at www.golfathonforals.ca.
“The way it’s set up on the website is you click on ‘donate’ then choose a golf course, fill out your information and make a donation,” Toyer said. “The [selected] golf course’s thermostat rises and you receive an online electronic tax receipt.”
The event is in its sixth year and Toyer said the East Kootenay communities and golf pros have been “absolutely fabulous” throughout.
“It’s growing and I’m so impressed,” she said. “From the valley there, we get such tremendous support from the community and the golf pros, and it’s outstanding.”
The golfathon takes place at Eagle Ranch Resort on Monday (June 18) with pros Steve Haggard, Tyler Hawthorne, Carson Wallace and Kris Paul-Clarke; at the Copper Point Golf Club Ridge Course on Tuesday (June 19) with pros Brian Schaal, Darren Ottenbreit, Alex Parsons and Scott McClain; and on Thursday, June 21 at the Windermere Valley Golf Course with golf pros Jake Cameron, Ken Litchfield, Casey Johnson, Dale Moore , Vic Briar, Dan Osborne and Al Larratt.
“When someone faces the most frightening diagnosis imaginable, it means so much to know there is hope and that they are not alone,” said Toyer. “They want to keep going, they want to help others, they want to contribute and they want to stay active.
“People living with ALS can do all of that if they have the right support.”
