PGA of BC golf pros and assistant pros all over B.C. will be swinging into action in June with golfathons to raise awareness and funds for the ALS Society of BC.
In 2005, then Glacier Greens head pro Scott Fraser came up with the idea of idea of a sunrise-to-sundown golfathon to raise money for research into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease), for which there is presently no cure.
Last year, the initiative topped the $1 million mark in funds raised, and this year more than 40 courses throughout B.C. will be participating. Locally, Glacier Greens and Crown Isle have traditionally taken part. The ALS website notes Glacier Greens will be holding their event on June 26. Past participants from the Comox club have included Bill Kelly, Pieter de lay Rey, Brian Wise and Terran Berger.
The website also notes Crown Isle has yet to be confirmed for 2015. Past participants at the Courtenay resort and golf community have included Jason Andrew, Rod Prieto, Evan Webber, Brook Petersen, Taylor Thibeault and Jayson Welsh.
Donald Miyazaki, executive director of the PGA of BC, says “The PGA of BC is proud to support the ALS Society of British Columbia through the annual PGA of BC Golfathon for ALS.
"Funds raised through the efforts of our golf professionals have helped thousands of patients and family since its inception in 2005. We are excited to see the program grow, year after year, and look forward to contributing toward the fight against this deadly disease.”
ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects the 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 yet, but there is hope through the ALS Society of BC.
To support the PGA of BC Golf-A-Thon for ALS go to golfathonforals.ca. There is a list of golfers and courses and you can pledge at any time of the year.
– PGA of BC