Avondale hosts Golf tournament to benefit the MS center

Posted: Sunday, Sep 21, 2008 - 08:57:28 pm PDT
Email this story Printer friendly version

By PATRICK O'BRIEN
Staff writer 

HAYDEN LAKE -- It was 1989 when Bill Goyen and Pam Burke started a small golf tournament to raise money to fight multiple sclerosis.

Nineteen years and $1 million later, there's little doubt of their success.

"Now, we are working on the second million," Goyen said.

The 19th annual Ski Crud Club and Jimmy Heuga Invitational Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27 at Avondale Golf Course.

The tournament benefits the Huega Center, a charity based out of Vail, Colo., that's dedicated to serving individuals and their families affected by multiple sclerosis.

"There is no real treatment, that is kind of the thing," Goyen said. "Having MS is a challenge. We focus on how to reach that challenge."

Pam Burke, Goyen's longtime partner, explained that in the early days of treating multiple sclerosis, the general consensus was to take it easy on the body and avoid physical activity.

Olympic skier Jimmy Heuga founded the center with the intention of incorporating physical activity back into the lives of people suffering from MS. Today, the Heuga Center also focuses on educating spouses, families and the caregivers of those impacted by the disease.

"The idea is to make the most out of living within in the constraints of MS," Burke said.

Goyen and Burke got involved raising funds for multiple sclerosis while skiing at Schweitzer Mountain near Sandpoint. A friend asked them to participate in a ski benefit for the center in 1989.

Entry in the tournament is $100 per person, and event planners will arrange teams evenly based on handicaps. The event is open to golfers of all skill levels.

Registration for the tournament begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by the 1 p.m. shotgun start.

After the tournament, anyone is welcome to join golfers for an award banquet featuring a silent auction, band and dancing. Tickets for the dinner are $40 each. More than 100 golfers are expected.

Individuals who are unable to play can participate by sponsoring a hole. The $150 donation is a direct contribution to the Huega Center.

Proceeds help fund the Huega Center's clinic and provide scholarships for individuals and spouses or caregivers to attend the center's "CAN DO" programs.

Registration forms are available at www.avondalegolfcourse.com.

Information: www.huega.org or call Pam Burke at (208) 660-0661 or Bill Goyen at (509) 994-5493.