The ALS Association's Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter hosted its annual ALS Catfish Classic Golf Tournament on October 13th to benefit patients and families suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The fourth annual Classic was held at the Tournament Players Club at Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh. Players from over 30 companies took to the greens and brought plenty of excitement to this year's event, which featured cash prizes, a silent auction, a luncheon, a raffle and the famous “golf ball drop.”
The golf ball drop has become a spectator favorite in which a large hot air balloon lifts off from the green, and after reaching an altitude of about 400 feet, releases hundreds individually numbered golf balls over a cup on one of the practice greens. The golf balls, purchased for ten dollars each to raise additional funds for the cause, carried with them prizes for being in close proximity to the cup. This year, the honor of dropping the prize-carrying golf balls from the hot air balloon belonged to none other than Miss North Carolina 2008, Amanda Watson.
The highlight of the day, however, came when Nancy Clements, a patient living with ALS, gave those in attendance a moment that will not soon be forgotten. She bravely delivered an emotional and powerful speech that resulted in a standing ovation of over 2 minutes from the golfers, their families, and even the wait staff.
At the end of play, Dr. Richard Bedlack, director of the Duke University ALS Clinic, spoke to the golfers about ALS and the challenges that those who live with the disease, and their families, must face every day. Each player was encouraged to spread the word about ALS to others to increase public awareness of the disease.
A silent auction was conducted, as well, and featured many pieces of sports memorabilia, as well as jewelry and signed celebrity photos. Among the items auctioned off were signed baseballs and footballs, and signed photos of Donald Sutherland and Angela Lansbury.
All funds raised from the 2008 ALS Catfish Classic will fund ALS research and help ALS sufferers and their families by providing patient programs, financial grants for respite care, transportation, assistive technology, and access to state-of-the-art medical equipment.
Plans are already underway for the 2009 ALS Catfish Classic, and the Catfish chapter hopes to see everyone back next year.
