GAINESVILLE, Ga. “Jody Cooley, and Clifton Hastings, MD, co-chairs of the 24th Annual Medical Center Open Golf Tournament, announced at the 19th Hole Reception that today’s golf tournament raised $281,881, setting a new record for the Open. The beneficiary of this year’s tournament is the Medical Association of Georgia Foundation’s “Think About It’ Campaign, and 100 percent of proceeds will benefit the campaign’s Project DAN (Deaths Avoided by Naloxone), which is designed to reduce widespread drug abuse and specifically reduce deaths from opioid overdose.
“What a fantastic day! We are thrilled to set a new tournament fundraising record while supporting this organization that touches the lives of so many people,” says Cooley. “The increase in deaths from opioid overdose is a disturbing trend. “Think About It’ will benefit communities throughout northeast Georgia by equipping first responders with the tools and training to reverse an opioid overdose in minutes, saving lives on the front line. Giving people from all walks of life a second chance.”
“I continue to be amazed by this community’s generous spirit,” added Nancy Colston, president and chief development officer of The Medical Center Foundation. “I am proud to witness, firsthand, the way it truly embraces the Open each and every year. The partnerships that are created through the golf tournament are far-reaching and truly make a difference in our community’s health.”
The Medical Center Open’s top prize, the Woody Stewart Trophy, was awarded to Philip Wilheit, Jr., Jason Brian, Chris Englund and Cliff Oliver with the low gross score of the day.
This year’s Medical Center Open was held at Chicopee Woods Golf Course and supported by premier sponsor Bank of America Merrill Lynch. There were more than 200 sponsors, more than 200 players and 100 volunteers. McGarity’s Business Products/ Xerox Corporation sponsored the 19th Hole Reception.
Since 1997, the Medical Center Open has raised more than $3.2 to support community health improvement initiatives.
L to R: Jack Chapman, MD, President of The Medical Association of Georgia Foundation; Dallas Gay, Co-chair of the “Think About It’ campaign; P. Tennent Slack, MD, Co-chair of the “Think About It’ campaign; and Manoj H. Shah, MD, President of the Medical Association of Georgia.