The pain in Derek Whipple's neck radiated along his spine and into his aching arms, leaving him barely able to grip his golf club.
It was the 15th hole of a marathon day on the course at Green Acres Golf course in east Richmond. He had already completed two, full rounds, and the discomfort showed it in his tee shot which shanked off into the fence area.
His second was a little better. But on his third, Whipple allowed his mind to picture the conditions ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's Disease) sufferers endure every day, and he summoned the strength to finish his fundraising efforts to help create awareness about the disease that affects mobility and speech and has no cure.
"I could barely hold my club," said Whipple, a golf pro at Greenacres. "My swing was shortened due to some crackling in my back, aching shoulders and a tight spine.
"But then, I thought of all those people who suffer with ALS and the toll this disease takes on them and I was able to get through the rest of the course."
Whipple said other than the fact this was his second time out playing 54 holes of golf in one day in support of ALS, he has no personal connection with the ailment.
"Doing this, it's more about what's expected of a golf pro," he said, "to be a role model and give back the community by donating my golfing skills for the day to a very worthwhile cause."
For his efforts - he shot two over par on the first round, one under on the second, and finished plus four on the final 18 holes - Whipple managed to raise, through donations, a total of around $1,700.
Whipple said despite the long day - he was at the course by 4:30 a.m. to prepare for a 6 a.m. tee time - and stress on his body, he plans on coming back next spring for another three rounds for ALS.
Currently, 40 golf courses across B.C. participate in the PGA of B.C. Golfathon for ALS. Proceeds help provide support services for ALS patients and funds research to find a cure.
Donations can be made by visiting golfathonforals.ca.
Since the inception of the event in 2005, the PGA of B.C. Golfathon for ALS has generated more than $869,000 for ALS patient services. In 2014, the event's goal is to eclipse the $1 million mark.
