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The HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Foundation invites you to be a part of their 11^th Annual Golf Benefit on Friday, July 19 at the Effingham Country Club. The theme for this year’s event is “Holes for Heart Care.” This promises to be a day of exciting activities and outstanding golf.

Registration begins at 10 a.m., with lunch being served from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.  The noon Tee-Off begins the four-person scramble which consists of thirty-two teams of four players. 

St. Anthony’s Director of Philanthropy Michael Wall explained the theme of the Golf Benefit. “Many people are touched by heart disease, whether it affects their health or the health of a loved one. This Golf Benefit supports members of our community living with heart disease. Whether it’s for your own health, your heart or for our community, the HSHS St. Anthony’s Foundation appreciates your support,” he said.

Special features this year include:

• Putting Contest before Tee-Off
• Golf Genius Mobile Scoring: Participants can download the Golf Genius app on their smartphone for mobile scoring. This app allows for easier score posting and features a live leaderboard that will be available on their phone, as well as the TV’s in the clubhouse.
• $100,000/$1 Million Hole-in-One Challenge: This $100,000 or $1 Million Hole-in-One Challenge, in conjunction with “Perfect Golf Event,” will be held once all the golfers have completed play. The post-event reception will be on the clubhouse patio overlooking the 18^th Several registered golfers will be chosen by raffle drawing to participate in the Hole-in-One Challenge and take one Tee to Green 150-yard shot on the 18^th hole. Multiple Hole-in-Ones will split the winnings.

Wall shared the very special history of the Golf Event. “In 2009, Jonathan Kabbes organized the First Annual ‘Golf for a Cure’ to benefit St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital. Jonathan wanted to do something to help fight cancer in his community,” he explained. “For two years he volunteered his time to organize the ‘Golf for a Cure.’ He has teamed with the hospital to host the Golf Benefit, which last year netted over $36,000,” Wall said. “The Foundation has been honored to partner with Jonathan over the past nine years to continue to host a successful fundraiser that impacts our ministry of healing. This year, 2019, marks the 11^th year of our combined efforts.”

Proceeds from this year’s Golf Benefit will support the ongoing use of the LIFENET System, and technology upgrades to enhance the educational experience of cardiac and pulmonary rehab patients. The LIFENET System allows emergency medical services (ambulances) to transmit EKG’s from the field directly to the Emergency department. This advanced notification allows the hospital’s Emergency staff to assemble and be briefed of the patient’s condition before the patient ever reaches the door. The LIFENET System was implemented in early 2019; Golf Benefit proceeds will support an ongoing partnership with the LIFENET System.

Additionally, proceeds from the Golf Benefit will support technology upgrades for education for cardiac and pulmonary rehab patients. In 2020, patients undergoing cardiac or pulmonary rehab will do so in a new, state-of-the-art location at St. Anthony’s. This new location within the hospital will not only offer additional exercise equipment for rehab patients, but it will also be a more conducive environment for patients to complete cardiac education in one single visit. Cardiac education is an essential part of the patient’s recovery. Proceeds from this year’s Golf Benefit will support incorporating audiovisual elements into the room that will allow patients to complete their education during the same time they are doing their exercises – no longer requiring patients to return for a separate appointment.

Register your team today for the Foundation’s “Holes for Heart Care” Golf Benefit. There are a variety of sponsorships opportunities available with many levels to choose from. The HSHS St. Anthony’s Foundation expresses its thanks to Air Evac Lifeteam, Abbott EMS and Consolidated Communications for their “Listen to your Heart” event sponsorship.

There are many ways to get involved. If you are interested in participating, volunteering, becoming a Golf Benefit sponsor or purchasing a raffle ticket to support “Holes for Heart Care” and the HSHS St. Anthony’s Foundation, contact Michael Wall, director of philanthropy, at 217-347-1854 or email michael.wall@hshs.org. For more information about the Foundation, visit the hospital’s web site at stanthonyshospital.org/golf.

HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is part of the Southern Illinois Division of Hospital Sisters Health System, which also includes HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.