AXE ALS Benefit Event to Bring Awareness to FDA Clinical Trials
Long Beach, Calif. (August 31, 2020) – The AXE ALS Tournament Benefitting the Stevens family, hosted by long-time Virginia Country Club Member Frank Suryan, Chairman/CEO of Lyon Living and Founder of Lyon Management Group Inc., was held at Virginia Country Club (VCC), est. 1909, on Monday, August 31st. The Tournament Co-Chairs were former PGA TOUR Professional Peter Tomasulo and Kasey Suryan, Senior VP of Lyon Living.
The sold-out event featured a clinic with World Golf Hall of Fame Member Fred Couples, and SCPGA Hall of Fame Member Jamie Mulligan, PGA, CEO of VCC. Couples and Mulligan put on an impressive demonstration. The fundraising efforts were more than impressive. All event proceeds will go to Eric and Amanda Stevens with the goal of raising awareness for ALS and Clinical Trials for treatment.
Eric Stevens was diagnosed with ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) a little over a year ago. ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. Along with his wife, Amanda, they decided to bring awareness ALS and the FDA Clinical Trials that could help those inflicted.
During the day, Amanda remarked how overwhelmed her and Eric were by the generosity and support of all the participants, Fred Couples, Peter Tomasulo, Frank Suryan, Kasey Suryan, the local firefighting community, VCC Board of Directors and Jamie Mulligan. The beautiful VCC was a wonderful venue and setting for the event.
Eric Stevens attended the University of California (Cal) where he played football. He had a short appearance with the LA Rams and then went on to become a firefighter with the LA City Fire Department (hence the ‘AXE’ title of the tournament). Eric and Amanda currently reside in San Pedro, Calif and are expecting their first child.
Stevens attended Cal at the same time as Tomasulo. During that time Tomasulo was on the NCAA National Championship team and was a two-time NCAA All-American. Tomasulo is also a former number one world amateur.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is a full-spectrum life safety agency protecting more than four million people who live, work and play in America’s second largest city. The LAFD is comprised of 3,246 uniformed fire personnel and 353 professional support personnel. (LAFD.org)
The tournament was won by the team of prominent southern California businessman, Jay Borzi. The day concluded with dinner and music as well as live and silent auctions. Most memorable was Amanda’s heartfelt speech about her journey with Eric since his diagnosis.
The gracious support of the LAFD and all participants is so appreciated. Fred Couples, Peter Tomasulo, Frank Suryan, Kasey Suryan, Lyon Living, Virginia Country Club and Jamie Mulligan, among others, will continue to be involved with the Stevens family in their quest for awareness. The AXE ALS Tournament is hoped to be continued in perpetuity.