Approximately 10 years ago, the members of Devils Ridge Golf Club realized the need to give back to the community. Both the Ladies and the Men’s Golf Associations have actively pursued their love for golf with their desire to give back.
The Devils Ridge Charity Golf Classic run by the Devils Ridge Men’s Golf Association (MGA) raised $29,000 last year with all the funds going directly to support local families dealing with Alzheimer’s. Working with Alzheimer’s of North Carolina, the monies are used for research and patient and care giver assistance here within the state. This year’s tournament will be held Wednesday, September 17th, with a goal of raising over $40,000 to assist those in need here in our own community of greater Wake County. Past major sponsors, Rex Healthcare, United Airlines, Carolina Hurricanes, John Deere and Edward Jones help provide a foundation for the tournament’s goals, but more sponsors are needed. The tournament offers a wide array of sponsorship levels , including major sponsorship levels, hole sponsorships, special event sponsors and contributions for our silent auction and/or raffle.
Alzheimer’s is a disease that impacts over 5 million families, with loved ones often lost to us even though they are still with us. Moreover, women are at the epicenter of the Alzheimer’s crisis.
Nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s disease – 3.2 million – are women;
Women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease over the rest of their lives as they are to develop breast cancer;
More than 3 in 5 unpaid Alzheimer’s caregivers are women – and there are 2.5 more women than men who provide on-duty care 24-hours a day for someone with Alzheimer’s;
In 2013, 15.5 million family and friends provided 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care to those with
Alzheimer’s and other dementias: care valued at $220.2 billion.
Alzheimer’s disease is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.
The Devils Ridge MGA support of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s is based on members’ personal experience and the knowledge of the risk for both men and women that Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia presents to our community. To fight this dreaded disease, they now hold the Devils Ridge Charity Golf Classic to benefit Alzheimer’s North Carolina, an organization focused on the needs of North Carolina patients and caregivers as they battle this disease. When you consider the statistics of Alzheimer’s disease, you can see their decision to join in this fight was an easy one.
With the money raised by this tournament, the total raised by the men and women of Devils Ridge will exceed $500,000. If you would like to help in Devils Ridge’s tradition of giving, please see the contact information below:
Devils Ridge Charity Golf Classic – contact Cary Ludwig at caryludwig@yahoo.com or 919-557-7254.
Devils Ridge Golf Club Recognized for Environmental Excellence
Devils Ridge Golf Club has retained its designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. Danny Gwyn, Regional Director of Agronomy and course Superintendent, led the effort to maintain sanctuary status on this course and is being recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Audubon International. Devils Ridge Golf Club was designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 2011 and is one of 901 courses in the world to receive the honor.
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, Mexico, and Southeast Asia have achieved certification in the program.
“Devils Ridge is a great example of utilizing a gold course for the promotion of wildlife and plants endemic to the area. The golf course fits nicely into the surrounding landscape and feels like part of the surrounding ecosystem,” said Dr. Fred Yelverton, site reviewer and Professor of Crop Science at North Carolina State University.
“To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas,” explained Doug Bechtel, Executive Director at Audubon International. These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management. Courses go through a recertification process every two years.
Audubon International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Troy, NY. In addition to golf courses, Audubon International also provides programs for businesses, schools, communities, and new developments with the purpose of delivering high-quality environmental education and facilitating the sustainable management of natural resources. F
or more information, call Audubon International at (518) 767-9051 or visit www.auduboninternational.org.
