Putt With a Purpose: Courses Across Michigan Offer Free Golf as Part of National MS Society Fundraiser

- More than 40 Michigan golf courses donate greens fees throughout May for 20th annual "MS Longest Day of Golf" event

- Golfers play unlimited number of holes for free while raising funds for MS research, programs and services

- Go to www.nationalmssociety.org/mig for registration and information on participating golf courses

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Apr 12, 2010, 09:00 ET

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 40 of Michigan's best golf courses are donating greens fees on select dates in May, allowing golfers to play for free while raising funds for multiple sclerosis (MS) research, programs and services. 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of the National MS Society Michigan Chapter's "MS Longest Day of Golf" event, which takes place in both May and September.

Golfers organize teams of four or more and can play as many holes of golf as they would like in one day. There is a minimum fundraising requirement of $125 per golfer for each day of golf. All golf courses waive the greens fees; some will charge a minimal cart fee.

Registration and a list of participating golf courses are available at www.nationalmssociety.org/mig.

"There are currently more than 18,000 people living with MS in Michigan and the money raised in just one day of golf can make a big difference in their lives," said Elana Sullivan, president of the Michigan Chapter of the National MS Society. "We're encouraging everyone from occasional golfers to the most seasoned golf enthusiasts to putt with a purpose and help create a world free of multiple sclerosis."

More than 440 golfers participated in last year's "MS Longest Day of Golf" events and raised $130,000. The event has generated more than $3 million for MS research, programs and services since its inception.

The MS Longest Day of Golf is supported by the following sponsors: FOX 2 Detroit, HOUR Detroit magazine, My 18 TV - Lansing/Jackson, and Comcast.

About MS

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that interrupts the flow of information between the brain and body, ultimately interfering with movement. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the United States, and 2.5 million worldwide. The National MS Society is committed to helping each person address the challenges of living with MS through a 50 state network of chapters. It funds more research, provides more services to people with MS, offers more professional education and furthers more advocacy than any other MS organization in the world. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS.