The PGA of B.C. is once again doing its part to help those living with ALS by holding its annual Golfathon through the month of June.

To help fundraise for the ALS Society of BC, golf professionals across the province golf from sunrise to sunset.

On June 16th, Brian Schaal, Bryan Armstrong, Casey Johnson and Scott McClain from the Copper Point Golf Club in Invermere golfed 270 holes each in just 17.5 hours — they started their day of golf at 4:55 a.m., finishing at 10:30 p.m.

The team averaged 1:16 per 18 holes, with an average score per round of 63.66 and  a total of 3,565 strokes, 138 birdies and three eagles.

Individually, Schaal did 10 rounds in 638 strokes, with an average score of 64 and 27 birdies; Johnson played 15 rounds in 972 strokes with an average score of 65 and 42 birdies and two eagles; McClain played 15 rounds in 967 strokes with an average score of 64 and 39 birdies and one eagle; and Armstrong played 15 rounds in 988 strokes with an average score of 66 and 30 birdies.

“On behalf of the Association, I am extremely excited for the PGA of BC’s tenth year of participation with Golfathon for ALS, benefiting the ALS Society of BC patient services,” said Donald Miyazaki, the executive director of the PGA of BC. “In our ten years of involvement, the efforts of our members have generated over $1,023,000. We have also assisted the over 3,200 individuals in British Columbia whom are fighting this deadly disease.“

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS ), also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, 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.

Proceeds from the Golfathon for ALS provide important support services to ALS patients and research to find a cure.

On Monday, June 22nd, Dale Moore, Michael Litchfield, Jake Cameron and Vic Briar from the Windermere Valley Golf Course golfed as many holes as possible to raise awareness and funds for the ALS cause but results weren’t available prior to the Echo’s press time. The Windermere Valley Golf Course and the Copper Point Golf Club are among over 30 golf courses located across B.C participating in the 10th Annual PGA of B.C. Golfathon for ALS.

To help support your local golf professionals to raise awareness and funds for the ALS Society of BC, donations can be made online at www.golfathonforals.ca.