Peter Crone was diagnosed with Motor neurone disease in March last year.

A former Newbridge premiership footballer and a golfer, the 53-year-old is well known in sporting circles.

He said the diagnosis came as a bit of a shock.

"I still felt 100 per cent strong, so I thought surely not," Mr Crone said.

"I had a lot of cramps in my hands and muscle twitching in my arms so I went to my local doctor and he sent me to a neurologist in Melbourne.

"I had a series of tests and different things and he's come out and said you've got MND."

He was aware of the condition, given the coverage of former AFL footballer Neale Daniher's fight with MND.

Supporters of the famous footballer and his campaign for a cure attended today's event.

"Today is just overwhelming. Very overwhelming, the support," Mr Crone said.

More weekend news: Teamwork reigns supreme at Bendigo HPV/EEV Grand Prix

He only started telling people he had MND late last year, when changes in his health became obvious.

"People understand now what's going on and they can't do enough to help," Mr Crone said.

He said friends and family had offered to chop wood or mow the lawns - chores that became a more of a challenge after Mr Crone's arms lost strength.

"My wife is a school teacher so different people at work have been cooking food and bringing it around. It's been great on every level," he said of the support.

It was friends of both Mr Crone and his wife that organised today's event, which aimed to assist the Strathfieldsaye family and Daniher's FightMND.

About 170 golfers took the opportunity to get involved.

Even more people showed their support by helping with the running of the day, including preparing meals in the kitchens.

More weekend news: National Dog Day celebrations kick off in Bendigo

Mr Crone said people from sporting clubs he'd been involved with had lent a hand, even if he hadn't been an active member for some time.

Members of the Eaglehawk Football Club were among those Mr Crone said helped with the barbecue, even though it had been about 30 years since he last played a game.

He was also involved in golf clubs at Eaglehawk and Axedale, and was part of the Strath Storm FNC family.

"I really want to thank the people involved in today," Mr Crone said.

Though he wished the fundraiser weren't for him, or for that cause, the father of three said he appreciated the support.

"I've got it and I'm trying to do the best I can," Mr Crone said.

A Peter Crone Golf Day bank account has been established:

For more information about FightMND, click here.

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.