Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

GOLFATHON FOR ALS

Rapid day of play for Kamloops golf pros during PGA of BC’s Golfathon for ALS

Jun 23, 2022 | 4:25 PM

KAMLOOPS — It was an early start for Alec Hubert and Andrew Bentley at the Kamloops Golf and Country Club on Thursday (June 23).

“We’re on round number 5 and it’s 9:30 a.m — so we’re cruising along pretty good,” says Bentley.

The pair are taking part in the PGA of BC’s annual Golfathon for ALS. The concept is simple — collect donations and play as much golf as possible in one day.

“Our association has raised I think over $2.3 million over the years that we’ve done this. It’s a collective effort among golf pros across the province,” explains Hubert. “We’re playing today basically from 4:00 a.m. until dark, and our goal is 15 rounds of golf today.”

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It’s a fast flowing operation — tee up, swing, get to the green, putt and repeat.

“(Kamloops Golf and Country Club) members have been very supportive and all of our public playing out here. We have some guys helping out and telling groups to get out of the way and we’ve just been ripping right through,” says Bentley. “Everyone is super supportive out here.”

Andrew Bentley (left) and Alec Hubert (right) (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today)

A straight day of golfing takes a lot of energy, but the effort is paying off before the golfathon has even wrapped up.

“Our goal at the start was $5,000 and I think we’ve surpassed that already,” Hubert says. “We’ve raised quite a bit from our membership and there’s also an online component where we’ve raised some money as well.”

Money donated to the local pros and other golfers taking on golfathons this month will go toward the ALS Society of BC for support services and equipment for ALS patients.

“Having heard some of the presentations from guys that have ALS that have been to our awards show, it’s like a no-brainer for us to contribute because it’s such a worthy cause,” adds Hubert.