TEAYS VALLEY – Preparations have begun for a charity golf tournament that will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The third annual Duane Ruggier MS Golf Tournament is set for May 8 at the Sleepy Hollow Golf Club in Teays Valley, tournament organizers recently announced.
"We are excited that this year’s prizes include, but are not limited to, a $25,000 hole-in-one, Sharp LCD TV, Callaway Iron Set, Titleist Vokey Wedge and monetary awards for first and second place,” the sponsors said in a press release.
Duane Ruggier II
The tournament is named after Duane Ruggier II, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and is an equity member at the Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown and Poe law firm, which sponsors the tournament along with Commercial Insurance.
Steve Fowler, the law firm’s managing partner and organizer of the tournament, told The West Virginia Record the idea for the tournament came as they brainstormed ideas to raise money to support the debilitating disease.
“The MS Society is one of our firm’s primary charities,” Fowler said. “I have served on the board of trustees for the Virginia/West Virginia Board of the National MS Society for years.”
Fowler said there are many reasons to support the MS Society by participating in the golf tournament.
"One, every cent of the proceeds go directly to the Virginia/West Virginia Chapter of the National MS Society,” Fowler said. "This charity provided vital research money into the causes and treatment of MS. There are a number of recent successes in the treatment of MS that can be built upon with adequate funding. Second, it’s fun. It's food, a shotgun start, golf in a scramble format so you don’t have to sweat the occasional bad shot, and it’s a vast improvement to the average Monday afternoon.”
Fowler said there’s still room for groups that want to participate.
"We appreciate everyone’s interest and we can accommodate several more groups if you contact Kevin Cushing at kkc@pffwv.com or call him at 304-344-0100,” Fowler said.
More information on the tournament can be found at www.pffwv.com.