It all began with a conversation between Janine Stanfield and EideBailly Tax Partner, Tom Ritchie, about raffling a trip to Pebble Beach to raise $5,000 to support her husband Brian who had recently received an ALS diagnosis.  Tom, a charismatic Tulsa business leader, responded by saying they could do better and suggested hosting a golf tournament. 

On October 18, 2018, the 15th Annual ALS Golf Tournament held in honor of Brian Stanfield and other Tulsans that have battled ALS reached a major milestone, raising a cumulative $1 million for the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI.) 

The well-attended event returned to its original site, the newly re-opened La Fortune Park Golf Course, after being held at Flying Tee for the last few years.  The significance of the return to the La Fortune Park Golf Course and achieving this major milestone was all the more important because this is the final year of the event.

The Stanfield family, Tulsa community members and business leaders, including the event’s original coordinator Joan Johnson, returned for the tournament that included two teeoff times, a lively fundraiser pitting Oklahoma State University Cowboy fans against University of Oklahoma Sooner fans, and a silent auction turned live auction by Tom Ritchie to ensure the events fundraising goals were met.  The first round and second round of foursomes gathered together for an early evening dinner, and the second round of golfer continued the event by golfing well into a misty Tulsa night under the lights of the renovated course.  Many of the attendees expressed how much they would miss the event, but are happy to see Brian Stanfield continuing to thrive 15 years after his diagnosis.  The engaged attendees took the opportunity to speak with Tanille Carter of ALS TDI to get answers to their questions about the current state of ALS drug therapy developments and were hopeful in learning about the impending phase 1 clinical trial for AT-1501.

The success of the invent and reaching this milestone would not have been possible without the continued leadership of Tom Ritchie, the generosity of the Heckenkemper Family Foundation, the support of Janine Stanfield’s colleagues at Eide Bailly, this year’s coordinator Rachel Murphy and the many businesses and community members that have golfed and sponsored the event for the last 15 years.

 

Getting ready for Bedlam Wars, an on the course fundraiser pitting Oklahoma State University fans against University of Oklahoma Fans.

First-year event coordinator, Rachel Murphy and her team of volunteers ready to check-in guests.

Tanille Carter from ALS TDI with Brian Stanfield

Tom Ritchie and the team from EideBailly