The 23^rd SCT&I Charity Golf Tournament wrapped up on Friday, August 28, with a day of golfing at Rivershore Estate and Golf Links.  The hugely successful event brought in over $58,000 for the Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) Foundation to be able to purchase a highly-sophisticated and much-needed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed.

For the past 22 years, the event has been a one-day affair, but this year with the COVID-19 pandemic, event organizers had to be creative in order to focus on the safety of the participants. As a result, the ‘day’ of golf was spread over several weeks in July and August, giving golfers the flexibility to golf where and when it best suited them. Participants who uploaded photos of themselves in action were eligible to win prizes. And anyone, golfer or not, was able to purchase amazing raffle and 50/50 tickets. According to Shanah Skjeie, Events Director at RIH Foundation, “There were many challenges to overcome while planning the event, due to the unprecedented times that we are currently living in. But the committee revised their plans, and put on a successful event. In fact, the sponsors were so grateful that the event took place, since sponsoring the hospital is the main philanthropic effort for them, that they all agreed to sponsor again next year!

Skjeie was grateful for the planning committee, chaired by Jeremy Gauthier of Tirecraft. Jeremy has deep respect and gratitude for the many sponsors and contributors (see chart below), including Platinum Sponsor, R James Management Group Ltd, and Presenting Sponsor, Western Roofing, who really came together in support of the event. “Everyone was really supportive as we navigated through unchartered territory. The success of this event just goes to show how even in a pandemic, life can go on, albeit a bit differently. With all the sponsors and contributors working together and being open to new ideas, we were able to adapt to the situation. Hopefully, this event will be an example to others not to give up. We are now well-equipped for planning an equally fun and rewarding 24^th tournament next year,” Gauthier explained.

The purchase of the ICU bed will benefit patients on life support or requiring other life-saving measures. Special mattresses which allow for increased blood flow and airflow immensely increase patient comfort and help speed recovery. The SCT&I Charity Golf Tournament, through its previous events, has raised over $2 million toward patient care equipment for various departments at RIH, including: OR, Emergency Room and Trauma Centre, Cancer Centre Chemotherapy Treatment Area, a 2nd CT Scanner Campaign, and a new Intensive Care Unit (ICU).