Riverton Country Club To Host Fundraiser For Rare Disease

CINNAMINSON, NJ — An ultra rare disease will be the subject of a fundraiser at Riverton Country Club next month.

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, type 47, otherwise known as "SPG47," is a recently recognized disease that resembles cerebral palsy. There are just four confirmed cases in the United States, and one of them was found in Molly, the daughter of Riverton Country Club Head Golf Professional Kevin Duffy and his wife, Angela.

The disease is present at birth, and causes severe, progressive spasticity and muscle weakness, as well as varying cognitive delays. Infants with SPG47 have very low muscle tone, making it challenging for them to meet developmental milestones, such as walking.

As they get older, they will develop spasticity, robbing them of the mobility that they work so hard to achieve. The goal of Cure SPG47 is to intervene early on.

Riverton Country Club will host a fundraising golf tournament on Tuesday, Sept. 12, to raise awareness and funds for research to help find a cure for the disease. Country club members, family and friends have been invited to attend. Many spots and sponsorships have already been sold, the country club said on Monday.

In addition, Friday, Sept. 15, marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Donald Ross designed golf course at Riverton Country Club.

Riverton Country Club was a nine-hole golf course when it was opened in 1900. After years of success and growth, the club purchased an additional 80 acres to expand the golf course to 18 holes in 1916.

Ross, a noted golf course architect, was recruited to lay out the new 18-hole course at Riverton. He is frequently referenced as one of the greatest and most prolific golf course architects in the game’s history. For more information, visit www.rivertoncc.com/curespg47.

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