CLYDE RIVER, N.S. – Golfers will be teeing off for charity at the River Hills Golf and Country Club in Clyde River on Friday, July 13, in the 14th annual Jody Shelley’s Golf Fore Health tournament in support of the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation.
More than 30 teams are registered so far for the tournament, with a few spots left, said Mary Surette, development coordinator for the Foundation.
“We will always try to squeeze in a team when we can,” she said.
The Jody Shelley’s Golf Fore Health is one of the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation’s signature events that has raised a total of $446,000 towards critical equipment needs for the Yarmouth Regional Hospital over the years.
“This event would not be able to take place without the support of volunteers, donors and organizations from communities in the tri-counties,” says Surette. “We are so thrilled that Jody Shelley returns each year to give back to the community where he grew up.”
Shelley and his family moved to Yarmouth when he was in his teens. The former NHLer – who played minor hockey in Yarmouth, was captain of the Halifax Mooseheads for a stint and played with the Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers – always refers to Yarmouth as his hometown. He looks forward to being back in the region each year.
“It’s the one day of the summer that I get to go back and see everyone I grew up with and raise money and have fun,” says Shelley about the event. “It is fun. The excitement and the enthusiasm. This is the 14th year and everyone gets more excited and more enthused. They do a great job. I’m always looking forward to it. Raising money for a great cause, eating some good seafood, seeing some good people, getting back to that area, it’s a special area for me.”
This is the third and final year the Jody Shelley Golf Fore Health tournament will be held at River Hills.
“Every three years we move this tournament to a new venue,” explains Surette. “It is great to be able to rotate this tournament throughout the golf courses of the tri-county area. We meet amazing individuals and volunteers.
“Wherever the venue has been (Pubnico, Clare, Yarmouth or Clyde River), each community has stepped up to the cause and put their own creative spin on the tournament. By the end of the day, not only have monies been raised for critical equipment needs but everyone has had a memorable fun day.”
The site committee and group of volunteers at River Hills have been “amazing,” Surette says.
The venue for the next three years will be announced by Shelley at this year’s tournament.
In addition to golf, there are always some friendly and fun course competitions during the tournament, including this year’s lineup of Dinghy Delight, the Circle Game and Best Dressed Team.
Over the years, the Jody Shelley Golf Fore Heath has raised funds towards hospital equipment such as renal dialysis chairs, an infant incubator, an ANA analyzer, 2 laparoscopic suites, cardiac monitors, medication management system, CT scanner, monitor defibrillators and rehab equipment. This year, the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation is focused on raising funds to replace a 14-year-old ultrasound in diagnostic imaging. Surette says the foundation’s recent Spring Gala raised $56,000 towards the $185,000 purchase price of a new ultrasound, leaving $129,000 to raise.
Surette says the foundation gets incredible ongoing support from sponsors for the Jody Shelley Golf Fore Health, including: platinum sponsor, Pam and Keith Condon; platinum patron, Moses Medical; gold sponsor, Pink Star Barro; silver sponsors, Tim Horton’s, Murray Dodge, Acadian Seaplants, AF Theriault & Son Ltd. and the Tri-County Vanguard; dinner sponsor Clearwater; reception sponsor, Comeau’s Sea Foods; and hole-in-one sponsors, Murray GM and MacDonald Chisholm Trask Insurance (MCTI).
Anyone interested in fielding a team in the tournament can contact Surette at 902-749-1669 or email [email protected]
The Yarmouth Regional Hospital serves Shelburne, Digby and Yarmouth counties.
