Wilbert Keon Golf Memorial raises $270K for University of Ottawa Heart Institute

The heart is a remarkable organ, really. Even without us thinking about it, it constantly works hard to keep us alive. It may be that we only truly appreciate it when it starts to falter – reminding us that it’s not to be taken for granted. Ever. That sincere sense of gratitude was present yesterday during the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, a global leader in cardiac treatment and research. Each year, the Heart Institute handles more than 241,000 patient visits and saves only God knows how many lives. The sold-out event, which was back at the prestigious Royal Ottawa Golf Club for its second of a two-year stint, exceeded expectations by raising just over $270,000. No quiet golf clapping here; participants erupted into cheers and applause at the dinner reception upon hearing the total announced by returning committee chair Colin Zappia, a real estate sales professional with Sutton Group Ottawa Realty. He’s part of a 14-member committee that’s been meeting monthly since last September to put the fundraiser together.

Zappia has a personal connection to heart disease — in 2007 he lost his 60-year-old father to a heart attack. His involvement has also been a way for him to contribute to a larger cause, where he’s able to collaborate with his fellow volunteers and with the staff at the UOHI Foundation, including its president, Lianne Laing, and her team members Lindsay Firestone and Vanessa Gomes.  As well, the business leader is a member of the OUHI Foundation board, which recently saw James Annis, senior portfolio manager at BMO Nesbitt Burns, become its new board chair.

Organizers were excited to have ServiceMaster Clean join this year as the presenting sponsor for the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament. Owner John Cooke decided to make the commitment after participating for his first time last year as a guest.  "We were looking for something to really bite into over the next number of years," Cooke told OBJ.social. "Having attended last year, and having really enjoyed the day, it ultimately seemed to like the right opportunity and the right moment for us. It’s a good group of people, well run, a lot of fun and for a great cause.”   The businessman has lost close friends and family to heart failure, including his Australian-born brother-in-law Ian Eckersley, 59, who passed away in 2016 after scuba diving with his mates in the St. Lawrence River. Cooke was introduced to the golf tournament by OUHI Foundation board member and golf tournament committee volunteer Leslie Mise, general manager at Mark Motors Group. Each year, the tournament draws returning loyal supporters, as well as new faces. Second-generation volunteers include Alex Reklitis.

Among the golfers from the corporate sponsors were Focus Eye Centre director Kevin Chadwick,  Capital Wealth Partners/Mandeville Private Client branch manager and portfolio manager Duane Francis, Boyden Ottawa partner John Caminiti, Jennings Group of Companies CEO and UOHI Foundation board member Ken Jennings, and Emond Harnden founding law partner Jacques Emond, who’s a former foundation board chair and remains a director on the Heart Institute board. He spent the day golfing with a few of his young associates.  Seen from the Ottawa Senators’ minority ownership group were investor Jeff York and OneLife Wealth Management president Chris Bockstael, the latter of whom was on the organizing committee.

The golf club was well-prepared for the scorching-hot day, with highs in the 30s. There were cooling towels and shady spots for golfers to rest and stay hydrated. If water wasn’t enough to quench one’s thirst between holes, there were also Blue Cactus Bar and Grill margaritas to be enjoyed. There were contests for beat the pro, closest to the pin and longest drive, as well as a $20,000 hole-in-one contest sponsored by Gifford Carr Insurance Group. It was fun to hear gavel-banging auctioneer Ryan Watson, from Raising the Bid, shout his trademark “You got it!” each time he sold off one of three live auction packages.

Items included a backyard BBQ package featuring a Weber Summit Kamado E6 Charcoal Grill from Preston Hardware, with grilling meats provided by the Wellington Butcher and Kichesippi Beer for keeping cold in a YETI cooler. The crowd also bid on a sports fan getaway for two to watch a regular season game in professional hockey, football, basketball, baseball or golf. It came with hotel accommodations and WestJet air travel. A one-week stay at a six-bedroom beachfront villa in Cozumel, Mexico sold for $9,000. It was bought by the group of young businessmen from mobile car detailing company Vehiclean. It’s co-owned by Cooke’s son, Elliott Cooke. He and his partners were also awarded the trophy for 18-hole winning score that day. UOHI Foundation board treasurer Ian Sterling, from Doherty & Associates Investment Counsel, won the lucky square grand prize of a diamond ring from La Maison D’Or Jewellers.

Award-winning cardiologist Dr. Rob Beanlands, the new president and CEO of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, spent his day golfing with some of the nursing leadership team.  During his brief remarks at the dinner reception, he addressed the Heart Institute’s focus on creating a “people-first culture” that prioritizes patient care. “We’ll continue to do our best for them, day in and day out,” said Dr. Beanlands. The golf tournament is named in honour of UOHI’s founder, Dr. Keon. Interestingly, the illustrious cardiac surgeon founded the Heart Institute in 1976 with help from Beanland’s father, Dr. Don Beanlands, who became deputy director general and founding chief of cardiology.  Dr. Keon grew up in the Ottawa Valley and believed in community, Dr. Beanlands reminded his audience. “He would not close the doors of the Heart Institute to anyone, and that’s the spirit that we want to continue.” The future of the Heart Institute is focused on its continued pursuit of excellence and making a lasting impact through its programs, reaching beyond the community to the entire world, said Dr. Beanlands before thanking everyone for their support from where else but “the bottom of my heart”.

caroline@obj.ca