Paul Welsman (left) and Patrick Martin with Shirley Postnikoff, their biggest fan, who accompanied them from start to finish. Top is the round 12 scorecard for an incredible game.
GOLF MARATHON
While most people continued sleeping on Weds, June 29th, golf professionals Patrick Martin and Paul Welsman along with player assistants John Chapman and Shirley Postnikoff were waking shortly after 3 a.m. to begin a very important day. This was A.L.S. (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s Disease) fund-raiser day at Fairview Mountain and the goal was to raise funds for A.L.S. research as well as to break the previous record of fifteen 18-hole rounds (252 holes each) in a single day.
Their play started before the light of day at 4:17 am and continued until 9:27 pm when Patrick and Paul finally completed a new record of 17 complete 18 hole rounds – a total of 306 holes in 17 hours and ten minutes, just under 61 minutes for each 18 holes. As last year’s 15 rounds was a new record for all of B.C. (the event is now held at nearly 50 golf courses all over B.C.), this new achievement will surely be the new record.
To date $3400 has been collected for this year’s efforts, with hopes that the final tally will reach $5000. With at least 8 local Oliver citizens having died due to A.L.S. over recent years, it is hoped that more people in Oliver will aid in this drive for funds. Contributions can be made at Fairview Mountain Pro shop or mailed to Fairview Mt. Pro Shop, RR#1, S66/C27, Oliver, B.C.
Photo and info supplied by John Chapman