Former Straight Down winner’s life hits the rough
Larry Mauter - Special to The Tribune

Two years ago this week Don Woodward was the amateur partner on the pro-am team that had just won the Straight Down Fall Classic – the golf tournament in his hometown and played on his home course.

The win came on a second playoff hole and Woodward sunk the winning par putt.

“This is a dream. This is awesome,” Woodward said then.

His brother Matt caddied for him at the San Luis Obispo Country Club. His pro partner Ed Loar walked away with the $25,000 first-place prize in the $125,000 two-day tournament.
Slaps on the back, hugs and good times were at hand.

Woodward’s life is much different today. The general manager of his family-owned Honda dealership is playing again this weekend in the 12th annual Fall Classic, but his worldview is so different.

After months of noticing a loss of strength, and then an onset of muscle tremors, Woodward, 45, was diagnosed last month with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

“I hate to say it, but it’s a death sentence. There is no cure,” said Woodward. “My life is turned upside down.”

Like Gehrig, Woodward has been an athlete, a talented and fierce competitor.

Woodward played on the CIF champion San Luis Obispo High School football team of 1980.

He then attended the University of Utah, and played tight end for Jim Fassel, who would later go on to be New York Giants head coach.

ALS is a rapidly progressive, fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscles.

While playing in the Kelly Cup golf tournament in April, Woodward noticed a loss of strength in his left arm and hand.

Trying to qualify for the California State amateur title in Visalia, the waning strength issue continued. “I noticed that the kids were hitting it 310 and I was hitting it 275,” said Woodward. “My yardages were off. I knew something was wrong but I didn’t know what.”

In August it took Woodward three weeks to recover after playing in a 36-hole qualifier for the U.S. Amateur championship. He was seeing doctors who were taking MRIs but nothing was apparent. Finally San Luis Obispo neurologist Dr. Thomas Clark made the ALS diagnosis.

“I’m now feeling some issues in my throat,” said Woodward. “I am slowing down my speech so I don’t slur my words. I’m still working but only about half my former schedule.”

Like in 2006, Woodward’s brother Matt will again be his caddy. Woodward will be teamed with Nationwide Tour pro Ricky Barnes, who this past week finished high enough in the 2008 money list to earn his PGA Tour card for 2009.

Barnes won the U.S. Amateur championship in 2002 and was an All-American at the University of Arizona.

“I’m really excited about teaming with Barnes,” said Woodward. “He’ll come into the tournament very relaxed after his Nationwide season.”

Barnes and Woodward will tee off just before 9 a.m. on Saturday. They will be paired with the team of Roger Tambellini and Mike Rowley – the 2007 Straight Down winners.

Woodward appreciates the opportunity to play this weekend, though his distance off the tee has now dropped to about 250 yards.

He is also pleased that ALS research is among the three charities designated to benefit from the sale of golf memorabilia during the weekend.

Straight Down is seeking to raise money for Mission Prep High School – students there will be volunteer caddies for the golfers – The ALS Foundation and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International.

“These charities are close to the heart,” said Rowley, president of Straight Down.

Southern Golf Enterprises owner Ross Macalister attends about 15 PGA Tour events every year selling framed golf and sports items. A percentage of the sales proceeds from this weekend will go to the charities.

“I want more people to know about ALS. Lou Gehrig had this in the ’30s. That’s 70 years ago,” Woodward said.

Every person who develops the illness is different, but after diagnosis, a person’s lifespan is usually 12 months to five years, he added.

“I’ve got to do my part in letting people know about ALS and hopefully we’ll find a cure. That’s important to me.”

Larry Mauter is a former Tribune copy editor and golf columnist who is handling public relations for the Straight Down tournament.

Straight Down Fall Classic
Saturday and Sunday
at San Luis Obispo Country Club
Admission: Free and open to the public
Earliest tee time is 8:30 a.m.

http://www.sanluisobispo.com:80/spor...ry/526846.html