On Monday June 25, the Orinda Country Club (OCC) will hold the 6th Annual Drive for a Cure Pro Am and Dinner. The OCC, in collaboration with the ALS Association Golden West Chapter, hopes to raise funding and awareness for ALS/ Lou Gehrig’s disease. The Drive for a Cure Pro Am event has raised over $400,000 to date, according to Brian Griggs, OCC member and tournament coordinator.
Earlier this year, Marc Schimbor was the fourth OCC member to pass away from ALS/ Lou Gehrig’s Disease in the past 5 years. The event will also be honoring the other club members who have passed away from ALS/ Lou Gehrig’s disease; Clifford Wingo, Dr. Robert Beallo and Ziyad Sulyman.
“What started as a tribute to two members who died of ALS has become a major annual event for the members of Orinda Country Club. ALS is a rare, but terminal disease and having 4 members from a club of 800 members is almost inexplicable,” said Griggs.
ALS/ Lou Gehrig’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes degeneration in both the spine and the brain. The ALS Association works to raise money for global ALS research and bring awareness to the disease.
“Our Club recognizes that the only way ALS can ever be cured is through awareness and funding. I am proud that over five years, our event has raised over $400,000 which has been used for the treatment of those inflicted with ALS, research for trying to solve the mystery of ALS and for creating general awareness of the disease,” said Griggs.
Matt Chaney, a Lamorinda resident who has lived with ALS for over 12 years, will also be present at the event.
For more information about the event, call the OCC golf shop at (925) 254-0811 or visit www.driveforacureproam.org.
