2020 Tournament

4TH ANNUAL

CRAWFORD FAMILY CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

 

We returned to the scenic Raven Golf Club in Phoenix on February 21, 2020 for the 4th annual tournament. A full field of 144 golfers, including players from six of the Arizona based MLB teams made for a competitive field.

Proceeds Funded Research Facilitated by ALS CURE Project Again

Net proceeds of $167,613.66 went to ALS CURE Project to fund research objectives on the Roadmap to Cure ALS.”

 
 

Low Gross Team: Matt McCormick, Ted Bacci and Dr. Jim Downey

Low Net Team: John Chovanec, Phil Dalton, Mike Crawford and Amy Cole

Closest to Pin- Brad Silva

Long Drive- Nolan Arenado

 
 
 

DR. BOB BOWSER

PHD, DEPUTY CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER, BARROW NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE

Dr. Bowser, an internationally recognized leader in ALS research discussed research efforts to discover and validate biomarkers for ALS.

Dr. Bob Bowser, internationally recognized ALS researcher, and Deputy Chief Scientific Officer, Barrow Neurological Institute


John Frates talked about his son Pete, and the incredible ALS awareness and fundraising that resulted from the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Andrew and John Frates with Mike Crawford

JOHN FRATES, FATHER OF PETE FRATES

INSPIRATION FOR THE ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE

John and son Andrew Frates travelled from Beverly, MA to participate in the tournament.  Although he had just lost his son Pete to ALS a few months earlier, John delivered an inspiring speech about progress and hope that have resulted in part due to the incredible awareness and fundraising efforts of Pete Frates, ALS Warrior, who championed the Ice Bucket Challenge

Former Boston College Player and Coach, Pete Frates


JEREMY AFFELDT

FORMER GIANTS PITCHER AND THREE TIME WORLS SERIES CHAMPION

Jeremy introduced his friend Kevin Heller, in a speech that was at times hilarious, and yet emotional, and a perfect introduction to Kevin.

 

Former Giants pitcher Jeremy Affeldt introduces Kevin Heller.


 
 

Kevin Heller and Brandon Crawford

 

Kevin Heller meets with ALS Warrior and amazing advocate Phil Green, who invited US Senator, Martha McSally (AZ) to be at the tournament

KEVIN HELLER

ALS WARRIOR, ADVOCATE AND LOU GEHRIG DAY PIONEER

Kevin and his family, from Menlo Park, California, were honored guests at our February 2020 event in Phoenix.  He had been diagnosed less than 8 months earlier, and although able to participate as a golfer, Kevin had lost the ability to speak well before the tournament (rapid loss of speech is common with the bulbar onset form of ALS that he had).  Nevertheless, he embraced the challenge to be a guest speaker at our post-golf banquet. Anyone who attended that evening will tell you Kevin's voice was loud and clear, and he delivered a very powerful, inspirational speech (with the assistance of Google's brand new 'Project Euphonia' AI technology that enabled his speech to be recorded in his own voice rather than the robotic voice that most are familiar with).

At the conclusion of Kevin's pre-recorded speech, he went off script to advocate for an MLB league-wide Lou Gehrig Day.  (Kevin's speech can be seen/heard in the video at the bottom of the site Homepage, along with the introduction by Jeremy Affeldt, and John Frates' inspiring speech. Ultimately, contributions by Kevin and others on the Lou Gehrig Day Committee helped make Major League Baseball's annual, league-wide Lou Gehrig Day a reality. (Learn more about Lou Gehrig Day here.)


Chris Proudfoot returned for a second year to be at the post golf banquet, and his mother Helga participated in the golf tournament.

CHRIS PROUDFOOT

ALS WARRIOR AND ADVOCATE

We were pleased to have Chris Proudfoot, an amazing ALS advocate and fundraiser in the Arizona area, and his mother Helga as our guests.

Select an image below to view featured speakers, Osiel Mendoza, Phil Green or Brandon Crawford’s speech.

 
 

Over $246,000 was raised at the last Crawford Charity Tournament. That wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous support of all of our sponsors. We want to acknowledge and thank all of our cash and in-kind sponsors, with special thanks to our Premier Sponsor, the San Francisco Giants, and our Major Sponsors, BiRite Food Service Distributors (Bill and Jeanne Barulich), Cytokinetics, and Wasserman.

Premier Sponsor: San Francisco Giants

Major Sponsors: BiRite Food Service Distributors, Cytokinetics, and Wasserman

Tee Prize Sponsor: Brandon Crawford

Raffle Prize Sponsor: Tiny Turnip

Contest Sponsors: Lou and Eleanor Gehrig Family Foundation, Harmony Capital, LLC, Golden State Warriors, Lesley Heller, Holmes Family Foundation, Ahead, Harry’s Hofbrau

Beverage Sponsor (Cocktail Hour): Paul Sallaberry

Beverage Sponsor (On-Course): Tito’s Vodka

Hole Sponsors: Bob & Jan Paul, Herzog Insurance Agency, W.L. Butler Construction, and Joc Pederson

In-Kind Sponsors: Fuget About It Catering, Trumer Pils, Campos Family Vineyards, Hotel Via SF, Wilson Trophy