A beautiful sunny day on the golf course is a day well spent.

On Tuesday, June 13, my hope for blue skies and sunshine on the golf course came true! And it was a record-breaking day well spent in support of our hospital.

Supporters of our Teeing Up Fore Health Care Golf Classic scored a hole-in-one by raising over $50,000 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF).

Ninety-six golfers teed off under those pre-ordered sunny skies that were flanked by two days of hard rain, to enjoy 18 holes on the picturesque and challenging course at the Picton Golf and Country Club.

Realtors at RE/MAX Quinte in Prince Edward County have been teeing up their support for eight years to improve the care patients receive at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) by directing the proceeds from this year’s tournament towards PECMHF’s Back the Build equipment campaign for the new hospital.

Their efforts will contribute to the purchase of a digital mammography machine needed for our County’s new hospital. Mammograms are among the most powerful breast cancer detection tools available, and this lifesaving diagnostic imaging equipment is estimated to cost $500,000.

Digital mammography plays a critical role in the early screening and diagnosis of breast disease. This equipment can accurately show changes in breast tissue long before the patient or physician is able to feel a lump. New digital mammography machines can find breast abnormalities far earlier than the past equipment can, creating treatment options that can eradicate cancer before it has a chance to do lasting damage.

The hospital foundation wants our new hospital to stay at the forefront of this technology, and we are thrilled that RE/MAX, and those who support the golf tournament, are helping us get one step closer to raising the funds needed for this equipment.

Helping me on the golf committee are Terry DeRoche; Rachel Henry; Kerry McConkey; Sean McKinney and Herb Pliwischkies. This mighty team works hard to solicit support from the community, and ensure our tournament is sold out. I am thankful for their dedication to making the tournament a fun day to remember for all our participants.

This tournament would not be possible without the incredible support from our leadership sponsors: Wilkinson & Company LLP; Gulliver & Co Mortgage Group (Terri Gulliver); Herb and Kathy Pliwischkies; HDR Architecture Associates; Market High Advertising; Monument Geomatics; Parkside Landscaping and Contracting; Pioneer Patient Transfer; Port Picton Homes; Wellings of Picton and Tri-Canadian Energy. We are also indebted to Huff Estates Winery and Metro for the swag bag contributions and our 50+ hole and prize sponsors.



I am also grateful to our volunteers: Monica Alyea; Sally Cowan; Geri Claxton; Peggy Payne; Don Rodney; Ron Broadbridge; Glynne Jones, and Lucas Boyce, and the foundation team of Shannon Coull; Sue Vincent and Abi Sampson who ensured the day ran smoothly.

Congratulations are extended to our winning foursome – our title sponsor team – Wilkinson & Company who golfed at 15 Under Par.

Each year Picton Home Hardware Building Centre contribute the prizes for the hole activities and top foursome. The winners of the contests were as follows:

Longest Drive Competition: Rachel Henry and Hunter Fargey

Closest to the Pin Competition: Ali Hainse and Hotch Earl

The live auction portion of the evening saw wonderful prizes donated by the Wheelhouse View Restaurant; Deerhaven Farm & Garden and Kristen Rutgers.

I never grow tired of a blue sky. The same rings true for our hospital. I never tire of the amazing support shown by so many in this community. Thank you!

For information about our hospital, or to donate call 613-476-1008 ext. 4502, or visit our website at www.pecmhf.ca.