Perspective from the 19^th Hole is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

ALS is a dread disease, but many of who have heard those initials don’t know what they stand for.

This:  Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Or, as it has been known for years, Lou Gehrig’s disease, because that old-time pro baseball player died from ALS.

It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscles to waste away, leading to paralysis, respiratory failure, and death, typically within 3 to 5 years. While 10 per cent of cases are genetic, the exact cause for most is unknown.  There is no cure, though treatments can manage symptoms. 

All of this came to my attention last week as I read a story that appeared in one of my on-line golf magazines.  Here is how the story started:

*Peter Broome understands that long after his battle with ALS has ended the bigger battle against the disease will continue.

“It is why Broome, one of the most respected figures in the golf industry for decades, has launched the ALS Bridge Foundation which includes an active on-line fundraising auction that features golf with some of the game’s biggest stars at some of their favorite places.

“Broome, a senior vice president at Titleist for many years, was diagnosed in 2024 with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a disease for which there is no cure.

“In discussing his condition with Global Golf Post’s John Steinbreder last year, Broome said his intention is to help others afflicted with the disease.

“’One of the things that hurts most is how this diagnosis cuts off the chapter of my life when I would have had the time to give back to golf, which has given me so much,’ Broome told GGP.

“’But I can still make a difference, only in this case with ALS.  And while I may lose my speech, I will still have my voice.’”

Those who know about ALS understand Broome’s comments.

Along with his family and with the help of some close friends, Broome has established the ALS Bridge Foundation with the goal to engage the golf community in the global effort to raise awareness and find a cure for the disease.  The foundation will help support research while also connecting patients with doctors in hopes of slowing or halting the disease’s progression.

Several major pro golf stars have donated to the Foundation and more are expected to do so.

In the past, one of golf’s connections to ALS arose when Tom Watson’s caddie, Bruce Edwards, came down with the disease.  And, though he died, his attitude about the disease in his last year’s brought an increasing level of attention to the plight.

Regarding ALS in general, I have into contact with the disease as I have known several people who have contracted it.  One is the sister of one of my best friends and she has endured the disease for almost 15 years. 

She is truly a profile in courage.

Here’s hoping that the new ALS Foundation, supported by pro golf stars and others, will enjoy resounding success.