Golfing for the hospital’s sake

The Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital Foundation annual golf tournament is on Friday, Sept. 12. This group, playing in last year’s tournament, was enjoying their time on the links before the supper and auction. (File Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Golfers will be teeing up to help out the Tillsonburg District Hospital Foundation on Friday, Sept. 12, at the Bridges of Tillsonburg.

The annual golf tournament in support of the hospital will feature a shotgun start at 1 p.m. A barbecue lunch will be available at registration. Dinner is at 5 p.m., followed by a live auction.

With the tournament raising $52,000 last year, it one of the major fundraisers of the year for the foundation. The foundation assists the hospital with the purchase of essential new and replacement equipment. Some of the key items for 2025 include vital sign towers, a therapeutic gastroscope, ceiling lift, operating room table, and replacement of beds.

“What makes the TDMH Foundation Golf Tournament so great is seeing how it grows and evolves making each year a unique and fun experience,” said Lindsay Tribble, foundation development assistant and event co-chair. She and event co-chair Lindsay Morgan are joined by Jenny Good this year in organizing the tournament.

With this being the 100th anniversary of the hospital, foundation Executive Director Gerry Dearing has high hopes for the fundraiser.

“It has the potential to make more because of the live auction and raffle/silent auction,” Dearing said.

Organizers are seeking donations for the live and silent auctions, as well as sponsorships for dinner, holes, lunch, and golf carts.

Dearing said the $1,000 hole sponsor is an interesting opportunity for businesses.

“You can set up a tent and talk about your business,” he said, adding there is also a sign sponsorship opportunity.

The auction features high-quality items such as experiences, a cottage for the weekend, catered dinners and sports tickets. In the past, auctioneer Ewart McLaughlin has wound the crowd up.

“It’s a fun event,” Dearing said. “He gets them going in the auction.”

Tribble added that the auction is “offering different, amazing experiences put together by our donors for the always-entertaining auctioneer Ewart McLaughlin, who engages the crowd and pushes up their bids.”

To date, some of the donated items are a six-course dinner for eight in your home from Chrissy’s Catering and a Harvard Flight. Typically, there are around a half-dozen auction items.

“We want to keep it short and sweet,” Dearing said. “We don’t want to keep people there all night, so we want some good items.”

The dinner will be a steak dinner.

Tickets are $800 for a foursome, with a $75 tax receipt going to each individual. Social tickets for dinner only are $60.

In addition, the foundation’s 100 for 100 campaign is still running. Donors are needed. More information is available at https://www.tillsonburghospital.on.ca/give-back-donate

For more information on the tournament, contact Tribble at 519-842-3611, ext. 5312 or at lindsay.tribble@tdmh.on.ca