The temperature was close to 40 degrees when we caught up with Drew Bolokoski (left) and Andrew Goncalves, who were golfing around the clock to raise money for ALS on Friday. Bolokoski is the head professional and Goncalves is the assistant professional at the Osoyoos Golf Club. Just before 4 p.m. they had been around the course nine times, starting at 5:15 a.m. They were drinking lots of water. (Richard McGuire photo)
As temperatures soared to around 40 degrees, Drew Bolokoski and Andrew Goncalves were on their ninth round of Park Meadows last Friday at the Osoyoos Golf Club.
They looked wilted from the heat.
“We started at 5:15 this morning,” said Bolokoski, the head professional. “We’ve been drinking lots of water. That’s for sure. It’s warm, but we’re hanging in there.”
Bolokoski and Goncalves, who is assistant professional, were participating in the annual Golfathon for ALS, sponsored by the Professional Golfer’s Association of British Columbia (PGABC).
They are hoping their pain and suffering on the golf course will be rewarded with generous donations through their fundraiser for the ALS Society of BC.
ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It’s a progressive neuromuscular disease that causes nerve cells to die and leaves voluntary muscles paralyzed.
In the end, the two completed 180 holes – 10 rounds of the course, said Goncalves. And they stopped around 6:45 p.m. – a little earlier than originally planned.
“We were exhausted,” said Goncalves. “Very exhausted. And sore.”
This Golfathon was by far the hottest of the three the pair have done over three consecutive years, he said.
In the end, Goncalves emerged as the winner, with a low score of 66 compared to Bolokoski’s 70, Goncalves said.
Donations can still be made at the pro shop or people can contribute online at www.golfathonforals.ca.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
