Several local golfers from three courses played a combined 1,266 holes — and chipped in a few thousand dollars for the ALS Society of BC.
The participants were Jason Andrew, Rod Prieto, Evan Webber, Brook Petersen, Taylor Thibeault and Jayson Welsh of Crown Isle, Doug Petrie and Carmen Dewinter at Comox Golf Club, and Bill Kelly and Thomas and Pieter de la Rey of Glacier Greens.
Their efforts were part of the PGA of BC Golfathon for ALS, which raised awareness and funds for ALS patients. Throughout June, players at 35 courses golfed as many holes as possible. Some began at dawn and did not stop until after dusk.
The program has raised nearly $1 million since starting eight years ago at Glacier Greens. Back then, the pro was Scott Fraser, now a local realtor.
"Scott decided to do it in support of a friend who was living with ALS," said Wendy Toyer, the society's executive director who visited Crown Isle and Comox Golf Club Friday. "The first year he golfed 188 holes and raised just under $8,000."
The next year Crown Isle came on board and has been a "strong supporter ever since," she said. Comox Golf Club joined this year.
With the community’s help, the three courses raised more than $3,500 for ALS patient services. Donations can still be made at the pro shops or at www.golfathonforals.ca.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects a person’s motor neurons that carry messages to the muscles resulting in weakness and wasting in arms, legs, mouth, throat and elsewhere. Typically the person is immobilized within two to five years of the initial diagnosis. There is no known cause or cure.