Golfing before daylight may seem like an unusual activity, but for the pros raising money for ALS awareness, it’s all about golfing for a cause.
Professionals Myles Johnson and Sieg Schreve spent 16 hours and 30 minutes on Spallumcheen Golf Club Tuesday.
They teed off at 4:35 a.m. and finished 187 holes, 10 rounds, at 8:50 p.m.
“We were pretty tired, exhausted, but just knowing you’re doing it for a good cause… (those with ALS) are suffering far worse,” said Johnson.
The duo raised $2,338 for the 11th annual PGA of B.C. Golf A Thon for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). They will be accepting donations until the end of the month.
Johnson, 34, finished 12-under par with around 35 birdies and Schreve finished plus-six over par with two eagles.
“When you’re going that fast, it’s was hard to keep track,” said Johnson.
Schreve, 28, came close to a hole in one during round five on hole 10, which is par four.
“He came about eight inches from the hole,” said Johnson.
Johnson has been participating in the Golf A Thon for four years, and this year is Schreve’s first time.
“The goal was 200 holes, but we tried our best,” said Schreve.
“With him it was easy,” said Johnson. In previous years, Johnson teamed with Jesse Crowe, but he couldn’t participate this year due to injury.
“(Schreve) said he enjoyed himself… I don’t know about (the morning after) though,” Johnson laughed.
Johnson spent extra time stretching at the gym afterwards.
“Your back and legs are sore the next day,” said Schreve.
The weather was a mix of sun, cloud and rain for the golfers.
“We got four seasons in one day,” said Schreve.
It was better than last year, Johnson said, as the weather reached around 38 C, 39 C in Salmon Arm.
“The weather was an advantage (this year).”
Their fastest time was an hour and 22 minutes during their first round, when they were the only ones on the course, Schreve estimated.
2015 was a record year for the Golf A Thon with over $163,000 raised for awareness and to find a cure for ALS.
ALS is a progressive neuromuscular degenerative disease. It attacks the motor neurons that transmit electrical impulses from the brain to voluntary muscles in the body.
The average life expectancy after diagnosis is two to five years.
Support equipment costs an average of $137,000 per patient; nursing and/or home care costs are up to 10 times that amount.
Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club is one of 37 golf courses located across B.C participating in the Golf A Thon.
To donate or for details on ALS go to golfathonforals.com