Josh Lane Classic set for Aug. 9

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 28, 2005

MURFREESBORO – If it’s August, that means David Lane is busy at work.

Sure, it’s true that Lane is a hard worker at his job with Roanoke Electric Cooperative, but there’s another chore he tackles with gusto in August.

In honor and love of his teenage son, Josh, Lane annually organizes the Josh Lane Golf Classic at Beechwood Country Club. This event, now in its sixth year, has generated over $100,000 to date for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

&uot;Every year we get as little bit closer to finding a cure,&uot; Lane said. &uot;It’s my goal to soon hang-up the clubs and not have to put on this tournament, but until a cure is found, we’ll keep on keeping on.&uot;

Lane and his wife, Deborah, are the parents of a son diagnosed years ago with juvenile diabetes. While Josh appears to be a normal young man, one just recently selected as a member of the Ahoskie All-Star Pony League baseball team, there’s more unseen behind the scenes.

&uot;For Josh, it’s not suffering from a visual standpoint, but from an emotional standpoint,&uot; Lane said. &uot;We still go through the finger sticks with him, constantly monitoring his blood sugar and diet. It’s still a constant struggle, but one where the effort will help Josh avoid future complications associated with diabetes.&uot;

While waiting for a cure, Lane refuses to sit idle. He conceived the idea of a fundraising golf tournament six years ago. The event, one that has grown by leaps and bounds, bears the name of his son, but yet is for all those young boys and girls with juvenile diabetes.

The 2005 event, set for Aug. 9, only has room for 10 additional teams.

&uot;We’ve sold out five years in a row and the way registration is currently going, we’ll sell out again this year,&uot; Lane noted.

The Classic is played under a four-person superball format. Participants will enjoy 18 holes of golf, lunch, a golfer’s gift and awards dinner followed by a limited live auction. The event also includes a $10,000 putting contest, longest drives (men and women) and hole-in-one prizes.

Registration will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Aug. 9 at Beechwood Country Club. A shotgun start begins at 11:15 a.m.

Prices range from $100 for an individual to $350 for a foursome. Those prices include all meals as well as a golf game package.

Sponsors are also being sought for tee boxes. They are priced at $250 each or sponsor a tee box and enter a four-person team for $600. Other high-level sponsorships start at $1,000.

For those who do not play golf, contributions of as little as $50 are accepted.

To register a team, become a sponsor or to obtain additional information, contact David Lane at 252-539-2236 (ext. 243) or the Triangle/Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at 919-431-8330.

Registration is also available online at www.joshlanegolfclassic.com