The Royal Canadian Golf Association has partnered with the ALS Society of Ontario to create a new charitable initiative entitled Golf 4 ALS.

The RCGA and ALS Society of Ontario will sell RCGA Golf Cards online with proceeds benefiting the ALS Society of Ontario. As part of the program, Damon Allen, Jude St. John and Bryan Crawford of the Toronto Argonauts have signed on as official spokespersons.

Also part of the program is the Golf 4 ALS Par-3 Challenge, which will see the ALS Society set up on-course kiosks at participating RCGA Golf Card courses across Ontario in May and June.

Golfers who make a donation to the ALS Society will receive an RCGA Golf Card, the opportunity to win a free golf getaway to Ireland and a special gift.

"The RCGA is proud to partner with such a significant organization in the fight against this devastating disease," said Ron Gardner, the RCGA's managing director of membership strategy. "Our goal with Golf 4 ALS is to help the ALS Society raise essential funds which provide the necessary equipment and support services to those living with ALS."

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressing and fatal neuromuscular disease that causes degeneration of the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. More than 80 per cent of those diagnosed with ALS die within two to five years of symptom onset. Every day, two to three Canadians are diagnosed with ALS, and every day, two to three Canadians die from the disease. There is no cure or effective treatment and the cause is unknown.

RCGA Golf Cards are available through the Golf 4 ALS program by visiting www.rcga.org/ALS and using promotional code 08als01 or by calling the ALS Society of Ontario toll-free at 1-866-611-8545.