Hurdle hosts spring’s premier event at KRC

Clint Hurdle beams with enjoyment March 20 as a helicopter lands at the Key Royale Club to collect golf balls — sold as part of the fundraiser he hosted for Prader Willi Syndrome.

Pat Slowey, formerly of Pittsburgh and owner of AMI Fitness in Holmes Beach, gives the sign March 20 to raise his bid before the final call on a Garth Brooks’ autographed guitar during the live auction event at Clint Hurdle’s Hot Stove Dinner. Brooks donated the guitar and matched Slowey’s winning bid of $10,100 — a win-win for the Prader Will Syndrome fundraiser.

And the star of the evening, Maddie Hurdle, left was celebrated for her fight against the effects of Prader Willi Syndrome and for her upcoming high school graduation. The most common symptom of PWS — a genetic disorder with no cure — is an insatiable hunger, starting at birth. With Maddie is mom, Karla. The Hurdle family — including Clint Hurdle’s parents and Maddie’s siblings — attended the event. Clint, former manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, resides in Holmes Beach. Islander Photos: Bonner Joy

Not often does a helicopter land at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach, but land it did March 20 for Clint Hurdle’s Hot Stove Dinner, a fundraiser for Prader Willi Syndrome family support groups hosted by former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. The event was held in large tents on the golf course. The chopper roared, churned, landed and picked up 100 golf balls — numbered and sold online and at the event — and took off, turning and hovering over the golf hole until the balls dropped. The closest-to-the-pin ball — 3 inches — winner was Phil Piggott of Pittsburgh, who will get a stay at Compass at Margaritaville Hotel and a Yeti cooler. Islander Photo: Frank Williams