A beautiful sunny day on the golf course is a pretty good work day if you ask me.

On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, RE/MAX Quinte Ltd. and the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation will join forces to host the 7th annual Teeing Up Fore Health Care Golf Classic at the Picton Golf and Country Club. We are hoping for sunny skies.

This tournament raises funds to support health care priorities at Quinte Health Care Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (QHC PECMH). In total, more than $163,000 has been raised through this event.

Proceeds from this year’s tournament will support the advancement of patient care in our community through the purchase of a replacement Digital Radiography (X-Ray) Machine.

During the 2020/21 fiscal year, 7,377 patients required the use of the X-Ray machine at QHC PECMH. Purchased in 2008, the current machine is past its recommended lifespan. The image quality is diminishing and parts are becoming difficult to source. The new X-Ray machine will cost $595,000.

Donors touch every hospital department, every staff member in one way or another, and are essential for taking care of patients. Because priority equipment purchases are not government funded, PECMHF counts on the support from donors to help ensure healthcare services remain close by should anyone need them now or in the future.

We are so appreciative to the golfers and sponsors who ‘take a swing’ to support local healthcare services. With 96 golfers registered, our tournament is sold out well in advance of the event. We are so grateful.

I often wonder what keeps our golfers coming back year after year. Many players have been with us since inception. The best I can figure is people have a fantastic time. Maybe it is because they’re supporting a great cause...the hospital is a huge part of the community and a place that County residents and visitors depend on greatly for healthcare. Or maybe the participants are just a really good group of positive people. Either way, it’s a fantastic event and one our team is proud to be associated with.

We are grateful to our star volunteers, committee members, and the golfers who join us. Special thanks must also go to our leadership sponsors, Wilkinson & Company; Wellings of Picton; Port Picton Homes; Parkside Landscaping and Contracting; HDR Architecture Associates; Terri Gulliver on behalf of the CIBC Mobile Mortgage Advisor Team; Herb and Kathy Pliwishckies; Taskforce Engineering and Market High Advertising as well as our lunch sponsor, Tri-Canadian Energy and our dinner sponsor Market High Advertising. We are also indebted to our 50+ hole and prize sponsors.

It’s because of this ongoing support that we are able to continue to invest in areas of the hospital that require urgent attention to increase patient access to high-quality local care.

There is still an opportunity to show your support by purchasing a hole sponsorship at just $150.00. We are also accepting donations for prizes for our live and silent auction. Please call 613-476-1008 ext. 4425 or email me at bboyce@qhc.on.ca if you are able to help.

It is through the generosity of our community that PECMHF can provide medical tools to our doctors, nurses and technologists allowing them to deliver exceptional health care when it is needed most. We cannot do this without our supporters. The support you give today will provide quality health care close to home for you, and your family for generations to come. Every donation has the potential to save a life.

Now that’s something worth ‘swinging fore’.

For information about our hospital, or to make a donation call 613 476 1008 ext. 4502, or visit the Foundation’s newly redesigned website at www.pecmhf.ca.