Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc and the American Diabetes Association held their 15th Annual “Driving Fore A Cure” Golf Tournament yesterday at the Hawaii Prince Golf Course. The sold out event included more than 350 golfers, volunteers and sponsors that raised more than $100,000 for diabetes programs and services in Hawai‘i.

The day started out with the American Diabetes Association’s 6th annual Golf Ball Drop — News Chopper 8 dropped more than 2,000 golf balls from more than 300 feet in the air. The three balls closest to the hole were big winners: Dennis Hirayama (3rd place) won a $500 Star Markets shopping spree donated by Star Markets, David Tamaye (2nd place) took home a 32” flat-screen TV from Best Buy, and Clinton Schroeder (1st place) won a trip for two to Las Vegas courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines and a four-night stay at the The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.

After the ball drop, golfers had a shot gun start on the course and ended the day at a dinner reception at the Bird of Paradise restaurant.

The Hawaii Community Leadership Board of the American Diabetes Association and the 2009 American Diabetes Association Golf Committee organized yesterday's event. The proceeds will aid the more than 110,000 people in Hawai‘i who live with diabetes. The programs at American Diabetes Association have a mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

Of all children born in 2000 in the United States, one in three will have diabetes in their lifetime. In Hawai‘i, that number is two in three. For more information, call American Diabetes Association at (808) 947-5979 or visit www.diabetes.org.