LANDOVER, Md., Feb. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Don’t miss your shot to tee up with professional golfer Jeff Klauk as he hosts two Athletes vs Epilepsy Million Dollar Shootout golf tournaments this spring. The two events will be hosted at the Palencia Club in St. Augustine, Florida (April 9th) and TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm in Potomac, Maryland (April 30th). The tournament at the Palencia Club is possible through a partnership between Athletes vs Epilepsy and the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida.
The goal of the tournament is to bring epilepsy awareness and funding through participation by athletes of all ages and skill levels, as well as their supportive friends, family, and fans. Proceeds from the Palencia Club event will benefit Athletes vs Epilepsy and the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida.
Each course will be set up with 9 par-3-holes and 9 regulations. Every par-3-hole will feature a $10,000 “Hole-in-One” contest. The golfers closest to the pin on the par-3-holes qualify for the Million Dollar Shootout and will take a shot for $1 million ($500,000 to the winner and $500,000 to Athletes vs Epilepsy). The winner of the pre-event putting contest will receive two tickets to the Masters Golf Tournament, which includes all practice and competitive rounds.
Former PGA-golfer and Athletes vs Epilepsy ambassador Jeff Klauk finds personal meaning in these events, having been diagnosed with epilepsy in 2006. After his diagnosis, Jeff continued to conquer in his golf career and earned his PGA Tour card in 2008 by finishing third on the Web.com Money list. He played in the PGA Tour in 2009 and later in The Players Championship. Eventually Jeff transitioned away from his 16-year professional playing career and is currently the Manager of Charity Events at Perfect Golf Event.
Jeff’s battle with epilepsy has truly been a journey. Continually fighting for better seizure control, Jeff recently had brain surgery in December 2017. Jeff deeply understands the importance of these charity events and their impact on the Epilepsy Foundation’s mission.
“As someone who lives with epilepsy, I know first-hand what it is like to live with uncontrolled seizures. We desperately need more money for research, education, and awareness to help the lives of all people living with epilepsy,” Jeff said. “Participating in events like the Million Dollar Shootout can help provide hope to the more than 3.4 million people in the United States living with epilepsy. I am honored to host this event to bring that hope to the many people impacted by this condition.
Registration for both Million Dollar Shootout events is currently open; for more information visit http://www.athletesvsepilepsy.com/events/MDS.
About Epilepsy
When a person has two unprovoked seizures or one unprovoked seizure with the likelihood of more, they are considered to have epilepsy. (An unprovoked seizure is one that occurs for no known reason.) Epilepsy affects more than 3.4 million people in the U.S. and 65 million worldwide. This year, another 150,000 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite all available treatments, at least 3 out of 10 people with epilepsy continue to experience uncontrolled seizures while many more experience less than optimal seizure control.
About the Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with more than 50 local organizations throughout the U.S., has led the fight against seizures since 1968. The Foundation is an unwavering ally for individuals and families impacted by epilepsy and seizures. The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is: to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives. The Foundation works to ensure that people with seizures have the opportunity to live their lives to their fullest potential. For additional information, please visit epilepsy.com.
“Like” the Epilepsy Foundation on Facebook at facebook.com/epilepsyfoundationofamerica. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/epilepsyfdn.
About the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida
The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (EFOF) was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) and serves as the lead advocate for Florida for rights and needs of people with epilepsy and other seizure diseases and disorders. The family of epilepsy diseases is the third-most prevalent neurological condition in the United States, striking approximately three million people nationally and more than 400,000 people in Florida. About 42,000 people die each year in the U.S. due to seizures from epilepsy and related causes. The EFOF provides numerous services to individuals and families, such as advocacy and counseling, education and prevention, direct medical and neuropsychological services, as well as research and other programs regardless of financial situation or socioeconomic status. For more information, visit www.efof.org.
Contact:
Nichole Manning-Ashe
Nmanning-ashe@efa.org
301-918-3717
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dbebb2b2-bd66-4812-bd1e-94dbc8e220d2