Andrew Goncalves (left), assistant professional at the Osoyoos Golf Club, and head professional Drew Bolokoski, will once again be participating in the Golfathon for ALS. This year’s event takes place on Friday, July 3. The dynamic duo hope to surpass last year’s fundraising tally of almost $8,000. (Keith Lacey file photo)
It’s going to be another long day at the office for Drew Bolokoski and Andrew Goncalves.
But when your “day at the office” means spending 15 or so hours hitting golf balls in the beautiful South Okanagan sunshine, while also raising money for a very worthy cause, it’s not such a bad gig after all.
On Friday, July 3, Bolokoski, the head professional at the Osoyoos Golf Club, and longtime assistant professional Goncalves, will try and play as many holes as possible to try and raise money during the annual Golfathon for ALS, sponsored by the Professional Golfers’ Association of British Columbia (PGABC).
This will be the third consecutive year that Boloksoki and Goncalves have signed up to participate in the event.
Before that, Bolokoski participated with current general manager and former head professional Lee Sapach as well as former assistant professional Lee Alarie and Ryan Street.
The BCPGA announced last week that the Golfathon for ALS has now raised more than $1 million over the past decade for research into Amyotrophic Lateral Scleroris, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the progressive neuromuscular disease which causes nerve cells to die and leaves voluntary muscles paralyzed.
Every two of three Canadians diagnosed with ALS eventually die from the disease.
During the months of June and July, golf professionals from across British Columbia will golf from sunrise to sunset to support those living with ALS.
The PGA of BC golf pros and assistant pros located at over 40 courses throughout B.C. will golf as many holes as possible to raise awareness and funds for the ALS Society of BC.
Bolokoski and Goncalves will once again tee off just after sunrise around 5 a.m. and play as many holes as they possibly can until the sun sets after 9 p.m.
Last year, they completed 254 holes or just over 14 full rounds of golf and helped raise $8,000 for ALS research.
Bolokoski said he and Goncalves are hoping to at least match last year’s numbers.
“One year Lee Sapach and I put in 289 holes or more than 16 rounds, but that was a bit much,” said Bolokoski, who has been a golf professional at Osoyoos Golf Club for more than 15 years. “If we can match last year’s record and raise another eight grand or so, that would be great.”
Swinging a golf club for 15 or 16 hours and only stopping to grab a bite to eat and washroom breaks is exhausting, but fun, said Bolokoski.
“It’s very tiring, but then you think about why you’re doing it and the good cause we’re helping and you keep going,” he said. “It’s a really long day in the hot sun, but it’s a lot of fun and very rewarding, so I always look forward to it.”
The fact he and Goncalves are good friends on and off the course makes the event that much more special, he said.
“It’s a long day out there, but it’s nice to spend all that time with someone you get along well with,” he said. “It’s obviously a lot more fun than being out there by yourself.
“Andrew and I turn it into a fun day and we know we’re helping a very good cause, so I’m looking forward to getting back out there again this year.”
The members at Osoyoos Golf Club are extremely supportive as they bring them food and drinks, cheer them on and allow them to interrupt play throughout the day, said Bolokoski.
“The members here are great and really supportive of this event,” he said. “They are the ones who donate the money we raise and they really encourage us and help us out during the day.”
Donald Miyazaki, Executive Director of the PGA of BC, said the Golfathon for ALS is something the organization is very proud of.
“The PGA of BC is proud to support the ALS Society of British Columbia through the annual PGA of BC Golfathon for ALS,” he said. We are excited to see the program grow, year after year and look forward to contributing towards the fight against this deadly disease.”
Any resident of Osoyoos who wishes to make a donation to the Golfathon for ALS can contact the pro shop at Osoyoos Golf Club at 250-495-7003 or go online at www.alsbc.ca.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
