June 26, 2002
Divers retrieve golf balls for good cause
Annual Scuba North event raises $1,200 for Divers Alert Network
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Can a golf ball save a life?
It can if it is part of a scuba diving treasure hunt to raise money for the Divers Alert Network, an organization that provides training and education plus medical research and assistance to scuba divers.
Nearly 50 divers from around the region participated in the event, which challenged them with finding 200 golf balls scattered in water more than 30 feet deep. Converging on a West Grand Traverse Bay beach Sunday afternoon, the divers donned their gear and headed into the water for the treasure hunt.
As a surface kayaker patrolled the area marked by the diver down flags, rising air bubbles noted the treasure hunters' progress.
The white golf balls provided a stark contrast to the green and brown murk of the underwater world, making them fairly easy to snag.
"I found one ball," said Alexandria Barnett, 8, of Manistee, who dove with her father, Jim. "I just started diving this year and like it because I can see underwater."
While each ball merited the finder a prize, the focus of the afternoon was fun, fellowship and fundraising. The approximately $1,200 raised will be earmarked for diving research at the Divers Alert Network.
"The research they have done in the last ten years has made diving become much, much safer," said Dawn McIlroy, manager of Scuba North and a diver for more than two years. "They have medical staff and do a lot of research concerning medical concerns and diving. They also offer services if there were a diving incident to get people to the nearest recompression chamber, which can be a matter of life and death."
The Divers Alert Network was founded in 1980. In addition to research and education, the non-profit organization provides life and accident insurance for divers and operates the only 24-hour diving emergency hotline. The organization's education programs include classes geared to both divers and the medical professionals who may treat them.
Scuba North has held an annual treasure hunt as a fund-raiser for the past 26 years. Previous years' funds have been sent to help preserve the Manitou Islands or lighthouses; the Divers Alert Network has been the recipient for the past six years.
The treasure hunt fund-raiser also featured a picnic where scuba divers refueled themselves, received prizes that matched the numbers on their golf balls and swapped diving stories and tips.
"This is a family event, that is what makes it so nice," said Cyndi Barnett, a non-diver who encourages her husband and two daughters in their underwater pursuits. "My husband dives all year long, even in winter."
Avid divers Ron and Ann George came to the treasure hunt even though Ron could not dive because of a cold. Ann found four golf balls for her efforts and enjoyed the brief dive. The Georges have been diving together for six years and have traveled to Mexico, Honduras and the Grand Cayman Islands to dive. They are planning a scuba diving trip to Australia for next year.
"I like diving, to go down and see everything that is there," said Ann George. "It is sort of like swimming in an aquarium, less colorful in the Great Lakes than the tropics."
George said that as a former snorkler she really enjoys diving.
"Snorkeling is like window shopping where diving is going into the store to look around," she said.