This is the 10th year of the PGA of BC Golfathon for ALS. During the month of June – ALS Awareness month, PGA of BC golf professionals sign up to golf from sunrise to sunset lending their muscles to those who have lost the use of their muscles to ALS.
The concept was born in the Comox Valley at Glacier Greens Golf Course. Scott Fraser was the head professional at the time and pledged to golf a full day of golf in honour of friend Bruce Taylor who had recently been diagnosed with ALS. Bruce relayed to Scott the need to raise awareness about ALS and to raise funds for other patients like himself who are supported by the ALS Society of BC.
After his day of golf, Scott approached the PGA of BC board, of which he was a member, to encourage the membership to join in the Golfathon for ALS. The rest is history. Since the inception, this event has grown to 37 courses with over 100 golf professionals taking part.
To date over, $1,150,000 has been raised to support patient service programs provided through the ALS Society of BC. Collectively over the 10 years of the Golfathon for ALS, the golf professionals have golfed the equivalent of three-quarters the way around the world at the equator.
This year’s participants at Glacier Greens included Bill Kelly, Brian Wise, Terran Berger and Jesse Moussa. Bill Kelly and Jesse Moussa (The old guys) reached their goal of 100 holes. The two young guys, Brian Wise and Terran Berger, played from 5 a.m. until dark, playing an impressive 285 holes.
“I am pleased to say the old guys won a close 100 hole match 1up!” reported Glacier Greens head pro Bill Kelly.
“Thank you to all the Glacier Greens members and guests for their support both on and off the golf course. The pro shop team at Glacier Greens raised just under $5,000 to fight this terrible disease,” Kelly said.
“A big thank you to Investors Group, Gee and Associates Private Wealth Management, Janet and Duane Gee as well as past PGA of BC president Keith Gibson’s generous donation of $2,000.”
You can still donate in the Glacier Greens pro shop or online at www.golfathonforals.ca.
– Glacier Greens Golf