Camaraderie on the course and upgrades for the MRI

CALLANDER, Ont. — North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation CEO Tammy Morison confirms the 24th Annual Osprey Links Charity Golf Gala is completely sold out, so with some generous bidding on the auction items, a fundraising total of $50,000 toward the NBRHC's MRI Upgrade Project is attainable.

"Funding medical equipment is the responsibility of our government, of our hospital, and of our community together," Morrison said Wednesday from Osprey Links. "With our hospital's capital equipment dollars, we can have good health care. Our community takes it from good to great."

Over the past 23 years, this tournament has raised more than $470,000 toward the community’s greatest medical equipment needs at the North Bay Regional Health Centre and approximately $1 million total benefitting various charities since its inception.

Honorary Tournament Co-Chair, Michael Harris, former Premier of Ontario, was welcomed by Osprey Links GM Jeff Rogerson. Harris opened the tournament from the putting green, saluted the friendships forged on the golf course over the years, and shared regrets from fellow co-chair, MPP Vic Fedeli, who is at Queen's Park.

OneLife Wealth Management, the primary sponsor of the event, had Sylvain Côté and Shawn Flindall on hand to launch the tournament and Brad Minogue, President, Osprey Links Golf Course, thanked participants and sponsors for supporting the tournament and for continuing the longstanding tradition of friendship, camaraderie and a round of golf for a community cause.

"We're very proud to host this event every year. It is such an important cause for our community," Minogue told the crowd. "Enjoy the camaraderie."

Morrison says the tournament gladly pledged its support for the $1.9-million MRI project — $1.3 million came from the community. Those upgrades took place last fall and the MRI is already up and running. 

"Our community dollars have an incredible impact because they help provide programming and medical equipment that wouldn't otherwise be available so that we can have the best possible care close to home."