Once again this year local golf courses are stepping up for a long day of golf in support of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) which is also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Golfers will support ALS at the Copper Point Golf Club, Windermere Valley Golf Course, Eagle Ranch Resort and The Springs and Resort Golf Courses at Radium Resort by participating in the 2011 Golf-A-Thon for ALS.

Copper Point Golf Club will be playing on June 21 and be represented by Brian Schaal, Darren Ottenbreit, Mike Irwin, David Armstrong and Scott McClain. The Windermere Valley Golf Course will also be out on June 21 with Jake Cameron, Ken Litchfield, Casey Johnson and Dale Moore. June 27 will see Lee Clas play on the Resort Golf Course at Radium Resort and Brent Taylor on the Springs Golf Course. Eagle Ranch Resort will be represented by Ryan Wells and Steve Haggard who will be on the course on June 28.

These golf courses are some of 39 golf courses located across B.C. who are stepping up to raise awareness and funds for the ALS patient services by participating in the PGA of B.C. The Golf A Thon for ALS presented by uniPHARM & Medicine Centre Pharmacies Charitable Foundation.

ALS, 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 or deceased within two to five years of the initial diagnosis.

There is no cure for ALS but there is help through the ALS Society of BC.  ALS BC provides direct support to patients, their families and caregivers, including an equipment loan program and other services to assist with quality of life. Through assisting research, the ALS Society of BC is committed to find the cause of, and cure for ALS.

Donations can be made at www.golfathonforals.com or by calling the ALS Society of BC at 1-800-708-3228.