AHOSKIE – Nearly 10 years have passed since David Lane decided to stage a golf tournament to help his son as well as millions of other children.

While he waits for a cure for juvenile diabetes, Lane continues his effort.

The 2009 Josh Lane Golf Classic is staged for Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Beechwood Country Club. As is tradition, it’s the largest, single-day golfing event in the Roanoke-Chowan area and a few spots remain in this year’s field.

Those wanting to participate can get their foursome in if they act immediately. The cost is $350 and includes 18 holes of golf, carts, a golf gift and a luncheon.

Call David Lane at 398-5956 ot contact the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, toll-free, at 1-800-377-0476. Registration can also be handled online at www.joshlanegolfclassic.com.

One hundred percent of the proceeds benefit JDRF.

The tournament consists of two flights – morning (8:30 a.m. with check-in from 7:30-8:15 a.m.) and afternoon (1:30 p.m.; check-in from 12:30-1:15 p.m.) Lunch will be served in-between the flights.

Golfers also qualify for special prizes, including a $10,000 putting contest (50 percent to the golfer; 50 percent to JDRF), hole-in-one prizes, straightest drive and closest to the pin. There is also a raffle featuring numerous prizes.

Those who do not play golf, but would like to be involved in the tournament, they can sponsor a hole or tee box for $250 each. Contact either of the aforementioned telephone numbers if interested.

Two other key elements are part of this year’s tournament. One, the Josh Lane Classic will be the first time Beechwood has hosted a golf tournament on its newly sodden greens. Secondly, the Classic will feature a Virginia-based TV celebrity as Kelly Gaita, a Lifestyle Correspondent with FOX43, will attend this year’s event.

A native of Hampton Roads, Gaita won the first-ever title of “Face of FOX43” in 2008 and began a one-year term as a spokesperson for the TV station, highlighting community people and events.

After completing her time as “The Face” in August, Gaita continues to entertain and highlight events that impact the everyday lives of people in the community. Watch Kelly weekdays on FOX43 News at 7 a.m. and online anytime at www.fox43tv.com.

Since its inception in 2000, the Josh Lane Golf Classic has raised more than $270,000 for JDRF, the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research worldwide. Since 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $680 million to diabetes research. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. With your dedication, a cure can become reality.