2023 Tournament
7TH ANNUAL
CRAWFORD CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
The 7th annual Crawford Charity Golf Tournament was played on Friday, August 4, 2023, at the historic Presidio Golf Course, featuring forest-covered rolling hills, and located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. For the 5th straight year a full field of 144 golfers came out to have a good time and support the cause to raise funding for research to cure ALS. A banquet in the Presidio Clubhouse followed the golf round, featuring a hosted cocktail hour, buffet dinner, awards, esteemed speakers from the ALS community, and a live auction fundraiser. The event raised $246,270 to fund Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS Translational Research Center at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (TDI).
Low Gross Winning Team:
2023 Tournament Contest Winners
Low Gross Team: : Brad Rocca, Michael Rocca, Nate Deaton, Eric Arnold
Low Net Team: John Chovanec, Phil Dalton, Will Clark, Trey Clark
Long Drive- Hole #10: Casey Kirchberg
Long Drive- Hole #18: Rick Morgan
Closest To Pin #4: Tony Schwee
Closet To Pin #13: Alex Edfort
Closest To Pin #15: Angelo DeRosa
Putting: Steve Bono
Low Net Winning Team:
In addition to raising funds for research to cure ALS, our event honors those who are living with ALS (pALS), caregivers and family members of those with ALS, and the memories of those lost to this relentlessly cruel disease. We’ve been fortunate to have several esteemed guests and speakers at past events, including those closely involved in ALS medical research, respected ALS advocates and caregivers, and pALS (the real ALS warriors). We were pleased to welcome several special guests and speakers again at the 2023 event, including pALS Phil Green, Osiel Mendoza, Corey Reich, and Chris Mavraedis.
Phil Green traveled from his Southern California home to be a featured speaker at our post-golf banquet this year. He is husband to Jennifer, father to Arianne, Hunter, Parker, and Whitney. Phil was a football player for the University of Washington, and a member of their undefeated, no. 1 ranked team (Coaches Poll) in 1991,and followed that with a successful business career. He was diagnosed with ALS in August of 2018. While fighting his own battle against ALS, Phil has taken on a role as one of the leading advocates in the country for all people with ALS. He has been active with several ALS organizations, including I Am ALS, ALS TDI, Team Gleason, and Augie’s Quest, and a member of the Lou Gehrig Day Committee that successfully lobbied MLB to establish an annual day to recognize the Gehrig, and bring awareness and needed funding to the ALS cause. Fittingly, Phil was selected to throw out the first pitch at the Dodgers 2023 Lou Gehrig Day game versus the Yankees.
Osiel Mendoza was diagnosed with ALS in October 2016 at the age of 21. At the time, he was finishing college at the University of Oregon, getting engaged, and creating goals, dreams and aspirations for his future. ALS interrupted those goals and dreams, and changed life for Osiel over the almost seven years since he was diagnosed. However, he shares his story, not in search of pity, but to be heard, as part of his pursuit for a future without ALS. Osiel is a member of the Lou Gehrig Day Committee that successfully lobbied MLB to initiate Lou Gehrig Day, now an annual event raising ALS awareness and fundraising. He is an amazingly positive and selfless ALS warrior and advocate, and was honored by the Giants at their third annual Lou Gehrig Day on June 2, 2023.
Corey Reich was diagnosed with ALS in July 2007 at the age of 21, but he had shown symptoms for several years prior. After his diagnosis, he returned to Middlebury College and graduated with honors in May 2008. Corey moved home to Piedmont, CA after his graduation and has been the Assistant Coach for the Piedmont High School Men's and Women's Varsity Tennis Teams ever since. Corey’s mother Wendy and sister Clare joined him as our guests. He and his family are committed to raising funds for the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI). Corey is a Young Faces of ALS Ambassador, and he was also recognized by the Giants at their third annual Lou Gehrig Day, serving as the team’s honorary captain. Corey’s father, Ted, joined the ALS TDI Board of Directors in April 2009 and he serves as the Treasurer and Audit Committee Chair. Corey’s sister, Clare, has worked for ALS TDI since graduating from college in 2011, including in the role of Director of Fundraising and Operations Systems. Corey’s mom, Wendy, is his primary caregiver. With the support of their family, friends, and community, the Corey Reich Fund has raised over $11.5 million for ALS TDI.
Chris “Mavo” Mavraedis is a longtime Giants fan and season-ticket holder who moved across the street from AT&T (now Oracle) Park to be near the action. In 2009, Chris was diagnosed with ALS, which has robbed him of more function and autonomy each passing year. In the strangest descriptive irony, Chris, like Corey, is the “lucky among the extremely unlucky,“ having lived with ALS for 14 years (well beyond the average life expectancy of 2 to 5 years). Chris took to writing as a means of coping with ALS and the loss of his voice. Drawing on his lifetime love of the Giants and baseball, Chris authored his first book, Falling in Love With Baseball. Chris and his wife Liz will be on hand selling copies of the book (some signed by Bruce Bochy, who wrote a foreword for the book), and donating proceeds to Augie’s Quest to fund research.
Nancy Sallaberry
After a courageous, nearly eight-year battle with ALS, Nancy passed peacefully in her home on December 18, 2022. Paul Sallaberry, her devoted husband of 38 years, and her three sons Marc, Luc and Daniel, daughter-in-law Brittany Sallaberry, and grandson Chase were by her side. Nancy was a champion tennis player, active in her community, and never one to be idle with so much to be done and limited hours in the day. Then she was diagnosed with ALS in 2015. As with everyone that is stricken with ALS, the debilitating effects of the disease over time changed life. What didn’t change though, was the simple joy of being with family in the outdoors, both of which Nancy loved so much. Paul Sallaberry serves on the board of directors of both Augie’s Quest to Cure, and ALS TDI, and will lead the discussion about the importance of the “research auction” at the conclusion of dinner and the silent/live auctions.
Dan J Carrozzi.
Dan was a city boy, born and raised in the Excelsior District of San Francisco. He loved being from a big Irish and Italian family, the son of an SF Police officer. Dan loved all sports, especially the Giants, 49ers, his game of golf, and hunting and fishing in the great outdoors. But above all, he loved being a parent with his wife, Linda, to two loving sons and two adoring daughters, and Papa to 12 beautiful grandchildren. Dan was diagnosed with ALS in 2018. He had been physically active, playing golf at least three times per week (never using a cart unless required), hiking and enjoying the outdoors. The first signs of the disease manifested in his left arm and hand, which was affecting his golf grip. Dan sought medical advice only to "fix" what was interfering with his competitive golf game! When he received his terminal diagnosis he NEVER complained, or stopped fighting, and continued to enjoy his life to the fullest extent he could, along with his devoted family and dear friends. Dan's big laugh, quick wit, zest for life, and love for family will always be remembered. Dan made his journey to eternal life on January 22, 2023, at the age of 68.
George Brokenshire
October 15, 1950 to February 8, 2023
George loved spending time with his family, baseball, riding his motorcycle and taking roadtrips across the country with his wife Rosa. He went to heaven on February 8th of this year.
Augie Nieto
February 15, 1958 to February 22, 2023
Augie was the fitness industry legend credited for the success of Lifecycle, Life Fitness and Octane Fitness brands. In 2005 he was diagnosed with ALS and co-founded Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS. With the fierce tenacity he used to revolutionize the modern-day fitness industry, Augie, expended that same high-energy and business acumen to transform how ALS research is conducted today. Under Augie’s leadership, nearly $200 million was raised for ALS research. His beloved wife, Lynne, promised him she’d carry his Quest forward and is the new chairman of Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS.
Nic Bonotto
Nic was known as an old soul with kindness, grace, humor, and wisdom beyond his years. Nic was a devoted father to his three children - Mason, Evie, and Ellie - and a loving husband to his wife, Suzie. He was a trusted friend and partner, and his easy-going demeanor, combined with a stubborn streak, helped drive him to live his life to its fullest. Nic taught ceramics at Wilcox High School in Santa Clara for many years. “Mr. Bonotto” (as he was known) was dedicated to creating a safe and supportive space where his beloved students could be themselves, express their interests, and share their feelings through their art. He also had an encyclopedic knowledge of random trivia and music.
Even after his diagnosis with ALS in December 2019, Nic continued to do everything he loved. With the help of his family and friends, they continued to adapt as his disease progressed to find new and creative ways to remain active. He continued to be there and support his kids at all of their events and activities, travel, go camping, spend time at the beach (his happy place), attend Giants and 49ers games (beat LA!), go to concerts, and spend quality time with the people he loved.
Sadly, Nic died on January 7, 2023, after spending a fun-filled week surrounded by family and friends in Tahoe. He leaves behind a legacy of how to live a meaningful life and love deeply. The Bonotto family hopes effective treatments and cures for ALS will soon be found. Suzie added that the family was honored to be on the field in 2023 when Brandon Crawford was honored with the 2022 Lou Gehrig Award for his character and integrity on and off the field, and shared her gratitude for Brandon and family’s support of the ALS community. Through their involvement with ALS Golden West, Nic and family also helped raise ALS awareness and support by participating at Dwight Clark Day with the San Francisco 49ers, the Napa Valley Ride and Walk to Defeat ALS, and Camp HLC (Hope Loves Company).
