OHL Alumni Golf Classic to Support ALS Action Canada’s Super Fund

 

Toronto, Ont. – Returning to the links in 2023, the OHL Alumni Golf Classic will take place on Wednesday, September 13th at the Diamondback Golf Club in Richmond Hill. This year’s event will be held in support of ALS Action Canada’s Super Fund, a cause championed by OHL and NHL alumnus Mark Kirton, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2018.

Mark has emerged as a true champion in the fight against the disease. His unwavering determination has led him to establish the ALS Super Fund, a remarkable initiative that unites and supports various charities in Canada all dedicated to a common goal: putting an end to ALS.

Mark Kirton played three OHL seasons with the Peterborough Petes from 1975-78, winning a J. Ross Robertson Cup title in his final season. He’d go on to be named to the 1978 Memorial Cup All-Star Team, being recognized as the tournament’s Most Sportsmanlike Player as the Petes lost to the WHL’s New Westminster Bruins in the Championship Final. Drafted in the third round of the 1978 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kirton would go on to play in parts of six NHL seasons, recording 113 points (57-56–113) over 266 regular season contests between Toronto, Detroit and Vancouver. He also played several seasons in the American Hockey League before retiring at the conclusion of the 1988-89 campaign.

Mark, who has worked professionally as a realtor in Oakville, has had the support of his wife Lisa and three adult children as they walk through the ALS journey together. It’s a disease afflicting approximately 3,000 Canadians, with 1,000 cases diagnosed annually.

ALS continues to work its way into the hockey world, with the emotional passing of Toronto Maple Leafs great Borje Salming. Others are suffering with the disease such as Ottawa Senators assistant coach Bob Jones and Calgary Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow among others.

Last week, the ALS Super Fund (alssuperfund.ca) website launched. Collectively, the group has managed to recruit nine of the most well-known neurologist/scientist/researchers in the world to come together and recommend funding to the best cutting-edge investigative trials and research.

So far, almost $800,000 has been raised in only a short time and have various fundraisers around the corner. The goal is to raise millions to find a cure once and for all and end this disease.

The ALS Super Fund was inspired by ALS Action Canada, the first patient-led movement to end the disease. Together with numerous ALS warriors from across the country, Mark shares a powerful dream: to unite charitable organizations and foster collaborative solutions in the battle against ALS. The ALS Super Fund is focused on results, led by patients, guided by experts, and working with charitable organizations that can deliver transformative change.

For more information on the ALS Super Fund, visit https://my.charitableimpact.com/campaigns/als-super-fund-together-we-endals.

2023 OHL Alumni Golf Classic:

Where: 
Diamondback Golf Club (13300 Leslie St., Richmond Hill, ON)

When: 
Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

Itinerary:
8:00am – Breakfast to-go/Warm-up
8:30am – Shotgun start

Clubhouse BBQ lunch, Under Armour cooler for all golfers, silent auction and prizes to follow. Silent auction prizes generously provided by the NHL, Hockey Hall of Fame, CCM, Vintage Hotels, the GTHL, Projoy and more.

Cost:
Individual Entry – $250
Hole Sponsor (No Golf) – $500
Foursome Entry – $1000
Foursome & Hole Sponsor – $1,250

Registration:
Foursomes are still available! To register, click here. For more information on the event, contact OHL Manager, Hockey Operations Darryl Hollowell.

All proceeds will benefit ALS Action Canada’s Super Fund.