Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation’s “Emerge Stronger” campaign is getting a massive $132,500 boost after this year’s John Smylie Memorial Golf Classic.
“The John Smylie Golf Classic brought our community together like never before, from the historic helicopter ball drop to incredible generosity on the greens,” said Lindsay Butcher Dodds, executive director of the hospital foundation. “Thanks to our sponsors, golfers, committee, volunteers and TMHF team, we raised vital funds for our ‘Emerge Stronger’ campaign supporting new equipment at TMH and the expansion of our ER to keep exceptional care close to home.”
The annual tourney was held on Aug. 8 at Oak Hills Golf Club and raised a record-breaking $132,501.70 (net) in support of the campaign, organizers have announced.
Title sponsors and long-time event supporters Jessica and Ian Smylie were “thrilled” with the results, calling the turnout a testament to the charitable nature of the community, and fundraising prowess of the hospital foundation.
Organizers have issued a huge round of thanks to all those who showed up in support of local healthcare – from volunteers to golfers, and sponsors like Team Guernsey Real Estate, 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours and Smylie’s Your Independent Grocer, host Oak Hills Golf Club, and more.
In addition to a day on the links, the tourney featured the popular helicopter golf ball drop, which resulted in a sold-out raffle and 2,000 numbered golf balls descending from the sky before a lucky winner closest to the target was announced.
Golf ball #1069, which was registered to Amanda Reid, landed just 23 centimetres from the target’s center to win the $5,000 grand prize.
“I was super excited because we just bought a new house, and this will go toward a new fence. It was perfect timing,” said Reid.
Meanwhile, golf ball #486 (winner undisclosed) picked up the early-bird prize for a helicopter tour for two over the 1000 Islands in Kingston.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
