Tony Johnstone’s fundraising Pro-Am

Posted on 19/08/09. By James Lovett

A prestigious golfing event is set to raise thousands of pounds for the MS Society in support of professional golfer Tony Johnstone, who has multiple sclerosis (MS).

The Tony Johnstone MS Society Pro-Am will take place at Sunningdale Golf Club's Old Course on Monday 7 September. The event, which is fully supported by the European Tour, will see 20 teams each consisting of one professional golfer and three amateurs play 18 holes from a shotgun start.

Famous faces from the world of golf are set to play, including Darren Clarke, Sam Torrance and Costantino Rocca.

Tony was diagnosed with MS in 2003 and started to deteriorate quite rapidly. He lost a sense of coordination and balance and his memory was affected. He thought he'd never play golf again until he was offered the chance to join a clinical trial for the MS drug, alemtuzumab. He responded well to treatment and was soon able to start playing golf again - joining the European Senior Tour in 2006.

He said: "After being diagnosed with MS I thought that was it. But responding well to the treatment gave me my career back. I had to relearn my game and it's taken a long time to get back to where I was, but I think I'm now almost as good at golf as before my diagnosis. My putting in particular has come on well in recent months. I'm lucky I've found a treatment that works for me, so I wanted to give something back to those less fortunate."
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Event participants will be treated to sit down lunch and a luxury auction in aid of the MS Society, which includes ‘money can't buy' prizes.

Tony Johnstone will be submitting a team on the day and is looking forward to the event, he said: "I've always played golf - it's all I know and I love it. I'm really looking forward to the charity pro-am. It's taken a lot of effort from some very dedicated people and I can't thank them enough for that; it should be a great day".

The MS Society works to support around 100,000 people in the UK affected by multiple sclerosis - an incurable and debilitating condition of the central nervous system. Fundraising events, like the Tony Johnstone MS Society Pro-Am, help continue this much needed support.

For more information on living with MS, and how to access support, go to www.mssociety.org.uk

Supporters can sponsor Tony and other golfers taking part in the charity Pro-Am by going to http://beatms.mssociety.org.uk/netcommunity/tonyjohnstonepro-am