GOLF MARATHON AT FAIRVIEW MOUNTAIN RAISES FUNDS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH FOR A.L.S. (LOU GEHRIG’S DISEASE)
While most people continued sleeping on Weds, June 20th, golf professionals Patrick Martin (left above) and Paul Welsman along with player assistants Shirley Postnikoff and John Chapman 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 Golf Course. The goal was to raise funds to support A.L.S. sufferers and for A.L.S. research as well as to break the previous record of seventeen 18-hole rounds (306 holes each) in a single day.
Their play started well before the first light of day at 4:09 am and continued until after dark at 9:31 pm when Patrick and Paul finally completed a new record of EIGHTEEN complete 18-hole rounds each – a total of 324 holes in 17 hours 22 minutes. To put this into perspective, that works out to 57 min, 53 sec per 18-hole round or 3 min, 13 sec per hole – including all breaks which were few.
It was truly a spectacle to see these young men running without stopping for the entire 17+ hours and still playing amazing golf at the same time. It couldn’t have been done without the large group of supporters who came together to assist the players and to help in the entire fundraising event. Of note this year was the large group who came to the first ever ALS BBQ party and cheered the players on as they played their final few rounds. The other regular golfers on the course were also helpful by moving aside as the players with their aides came through (usually 4 times as they played their own 18 hole game) and by the cheering they gave Paul and Patrick).
The initial goal for the golfathon at Fairview Mountain this year was to raise at least $5000. With donations still being accepted a final figure is not yet available but it appears this amount will surely be surpassed. 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 by visiting or calling the Fairview Mountain Pro shop (498-6050) or mailed to Fairview Mt. Pro Shop, RR#1, S66/C27, Oliver, B.C..
NOTES:
– # rounds played:18
– # holes played:324
– Average times:57 min, 53 sec / round; 3 min, 13 sec / hole
– Strokes taken:Patrick 1196, Paul 1274
– Average round scores:Patrick 66.4, Paul 70.8
– # birdies:Patrick 109, Paul 63 (172 total)
– # eagles:Patrick 8, Paul 1 ( 9 total)
– Low/High round score:Patrick (59/72), Paul (65/77)
Winner of the Carmichael Trophy: Patrick Martin