May 1, 2023
RICHMOND, BC (PGA of British Columbia) - The power of PGA professionals is on full display each year through the Golfathon for ALS. Bill Kelly, who served as the 38th President of the PGA of BC, has been a core part of the initiative since its early stages. Kelly’s commitment to the Golfathon and those living with ALS will always serve as a cherished memory for him and his family who hold a special connection to the event.
In 2005, Scott Fraser was working as Head Professional at Glacier Greens Golf Club. After learning that two of his employees were suffering from a terrible disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Fraser was spurred into action, laying the foundation for the annual PGA of BC Golfathon For ALS. ALS is a disease that gradually paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. Over time, as the muscles of the body break down, someone living with ALS will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow and eventually breathe.
Fraser, now working as a real estate agent, said the two employees, older gentlemen who worked on the driving range and as a course marshal, were diagnosed with the disease within a month of each other. One day, one of the men asked Fraser if he could place a box on the counter to collect spare coins to fundraise for those living with ALS. Fraser wanted to do more to help.
“I said, ‘You know what? Why don’t you meet me in the clubhouse for a coffee and let’s maybe talk about something different.’ So, I sat down with him, and I said, ‘Why don’t I do a Golfathon to raise awareness and help the public see the toll of this disease?’ I lent my time and body out to golf for those that can’t, and that first year I played 288 holes.”
Fraser was joined on the Golfathon in its second year by his friend and successor as Head Professional at Glacier Greens, Bill Kelly. The men were moved by the reactions from people living with ALS towards the initiative. Fraser said one of his greatest memories was seeing the employees who were fighting ALS fly onto the course in a specially outfitted Canadian Forces Cormorant helicopter to meet them as they participated.
“Virtually everybody that’s been involved knows somebody that’s had this terrible disease. I think we all on some level have a personal connection to somebody involved with this disease," said Fraser. "It means so much that this is one way we can give back by doing something that we all love so much.”
The Golfathon, which sees professionals play as many consecutive rounds as possible from dawn until dusk, attracts donations in support of competing professionals. All donations go towards the ALS Society of BC and their mission to cure ALS through funding research, while advocating for and supporting those living with ALS. To date, the initiative has raised $2,547,720 over 17 years. This funding goes towards several supports. The Equipment Loan program provides mobility equipment, lift equipment, beds & accessories, communication devices, and bathroom aids if needed. All equipment loaned is available at no charge to registered ALS patient members. Money raised also goes towards: support groups; psychological treatment services; Camp Alohi Lani, a youth summer camp for those with relatives living with ALS; and PROJECT HOPE, which raises money to fund an ALS research centre at UBC.
Not only does the Golfathon benefit those living with ALS in BC, but also benefits the competing professionals, according to Fraser.
“It showed people that the PGA of BC is a multi-dimensional group that, you know, we did the day-to-day stuff, but we also gave back to the community. And to be honest, playing that many holes is good for your golf game. It really taught you to just go play, don’t overthink it and you’re going to be a better player. I think all those aspects made me a better golf professional.”
When Kelly’s wife began experiencing contractions the day before the Golfathon, Kelly was torn. Their midwife arrived and noticed that the baby’s heart was slowing during contractions. They rushed to the hospital, and doctors determined that an emergency C-section was needed. Fortunately, everything worked out.
“Baby Adelaide was born, Mom was in recovery, and all was well. After the C-section my incredible wife gave me the go-ahead to participate in the Golfathon the next day. After sleeping on the hospital floor, it was an early wake up call and off to Crown Isle to participate in the 2007 Golfathon with the Crown Isle and Glacier Greens teams playing together,” said Kelly. “After a long day it was back to the hospital where Mom and baby were doing well. I will never forget that day and can't thank my wife enough for her incredible support while she was in the hospital.”
The initiative imparts pride and compassion in the Association, said Kelly.
“It gives me great pride to participate in this amongst my fellow PGA of BC members raising funds for such a great cause. There is a lot of pride in knowing that our Association can take time out of a busy schedule to raise funds for such a worthy cause. It brings me joy to know that we are helping individuals during their difficult struggles with this terrible disease.”
Wendy Toyer, Executive Director of the ALS Society of BC, said she is blown away by the generosity and spirit of golf professionals throughout the province. Toyer started her role with the non-profit Society shortly before Fraser launched the initiative. She recalled receiving a phone call out of the blue from Fraser, telling her he had over $7,000 that golfers and the Comox community had raised to donate.
“I went up to Comox to thank him, and that’s where I met Bill Kelly. Bill had also gone out and golfed with Scott. The next year, I went up to ride along with Bill and Scott for the Golfathon. When I was riding in Scott’s cart, he shared with me that Bill had become a dad, like, four hours before. He still came out to join the Golfathon, even though he had just become a dad, and that really touched my heart. We were going to lunch with some ALS patients, and Bill came up to me and said, ‘I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to pop over to the hospital to check on my wife and baby daughter.’ And I said, ‘I absolutely don't mind!!!’ And I immediately got on the phone to my office and shouted, ‘Send this lady some flowers!’”
Toyer said that the care and generosity professionals show to those with ALS has made a key difference to the Society and its operations.
“Scott and Bill, their personalities and leadership and philanthropy is replicated in every member of the PGA of BC I’ve met. There’s something within the DNA of a golf professional. Every community we go to, when we meet people in local media or at a restaurant, they all know about the Golfathon for ALS, they all know the names of the professionals. These people are embedded in their communities. It just gives people with ALS so much hope that somebody cares that much they’re going to golf over 100 holes in a day. I think that the members of the PGA of BC are the most incredible human beings I’ve ever met in my entire life. I’m so grateful for their passion to give back to their communities. We would not be where we are today without them.”
Kelly, who is now a Professional at Lightspeed Golf, said he will cherish the impressions left on him by those involved with the initiative.
“We never had to worry about being short of volunteers and many years had too many. The support of the many volunteers and the individuals who donate year after year give me great memories. From time to time, I was able to meet various people who had ALS. Their optimism and appreciation for what we were doing rates very high on my list of memories as well.”
To donate to and register as a host facility for the 2023 Golfathon for ALS, please visit golfathonforals.com.