NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- A Pebble Beach golf tournament pays off big for researchers looking for a cure for multiple sclerosis. The researchers took home the top prize: a $150,000 contribution from multi-platinum recording artist Clay Walker and the non-profit Band Against MS (BAMS) organization. The money will fund important studies on the disease and potential cures at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090706/CL42395 )

The check was presented to Dr. Jerry Wolinsky at the Second Annual Clay Walker Charity Classic golf tournament at Pebble Beach. Wolinsky serves as director of the Multiple Sclerosis Research Group and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis Center at the University of Texas Medical School. Including this gift, BAMS has provided the university with a total of $500,000 for its research efforts since 2004.

"It is a wonderful feeling to give Dr. Wolinsky and the University of Texas Medical School the necessary funding to continue valuable research in the battle against MS," said Walker, who was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 1996. "My hope is that our support will help researchers find the cause of and ultimately a cure for MS."

"Clay and his organization have demonstrated amazing dedication to not only the researchers in the area of MS but also to the millions of people who live with the disease on a daily basis," said Dr. Wolinsky. "We are extremely grateful for their generosity and their confidence in our continuing efforts to research the disease."

During the tournament, players and guests were treated to special performances from Clay Walker and Friends and comedian Jeff Foxworthy at the tournament's Gala event on Tuesday, June 30. In total, the evening's live auction generated $56,000 to further the MS-related goals of BAMS.

Band Against MS, Inc., (BAMS) is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity committed to providing educational information for those living with multiple sclerosis, funding programs researching a cure for multiple sclerosis, and funding programs helping those living with the disease. Nationally acclaimed recording artist Clay Walker established BAMS in February 2003 because he wanted to help others living with the same disease he has battled since 1996. More information about BAMS is available at www.bandagainstms.org.

SOURCE Band Against MS, Inc.