Donald Teuma-Castelletti
VINTON, SHAWVILLE
Sept. 29, 2018
With attendance up over 60 per cent, 120 steaks to grill, and everybody swinging from, and for, the heart, Atkinson’s Sports Bar celebrated another year of supporting the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Twenty-seven teams hit the greens at Mickey Creek Golf Club on Saturday, with many more joining at the bar back in Shawville come evening for dinner and company, as the group enjoyed the 24th edition of the tournament.
Bar manager and tournament organizer September Hamilton said she looks forward to the day bringing old friends together as folks come in from all over the Pontiac and beyond to support the cause.
She highlighted the effect of this tournament by pointing to one group of friends who hadn’t played together in 30 years. Featuring Tom Orr, Blake Barr, Bill Hobbs and David Murray, she was proud to say the lads had made a comeback on the greens and appeared to have a blast out there.
As well, Hamilton said the tournament succeeds on the back of the community’s support and is able to offer the best donation this way. From all the sponsors through to Mickey Creek donating the course time and Joanne’s Valu-Mart pitching in with half the steaks donated, that’s what allows the day to continue to prosper.
Having donated just over $4,500 to the institute last year, Hamilton is looking forward to increasing their donation this year, as attendance was up all-around, and costs were cut in some areas.
“I thrive to go beyond, I want it to be the best it can be, so that there’s the biggest donation to the heart institute,” she said.
Bar owners Carey and Maureen Stanton said they were proud to see the tournament flourish under Hamilton’s leadership, adding that it wouldn’t be possible without her. As well, they were happy to have the tournament continue to support a foundation that has helped so many in the Pontiac.
“Every person has a connection to the heart institute,” said Carey.
He said whether it’s a family member receiving treatment or a friend who works there, the community has relied on the institute in one way or another.
“It’s awesome when you see the excitement people have for this tournament,” he continued.
“[An attendance] of this size in a relatively small population is a huge statement to the commitment in the community to the cause,” said Maureen.
