CRH Foundation cancels Italian Open for second year
By Al Beeber on April 16, 2021.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com The COVID-19 pandemic has cost the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation a major fundraiser for the second year in a row.The Val Matteotti Italian Open Golf Tournament will, however, return in 2022, promises foundation executive director Jason Vandenhoek.
The tournament would have been in its 26th year if not for the cancellations and next year the foundation is planning to somehow mark its belated 25th anniversary, he said.
“The stars weren’t lining up for us to pull off a successful event,” said Vandenhoek on Thursday.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to make; we really agonized over it.”
But the CRH is following recommendations given the ongoing pandemic, said Vandenhoek.
Over the years, the tournament has raised more than $1.6 million for the hospital with all funds staying in Lethbridge.
Flora Matteotti, the widow of Val, still serves as tournament patron, said Vandenhoek.
While the loss of the tournament hurts foundation fundraising, “we are super fortunate that donations do come in from participants. We live in a very generous community,” said Vandenhoek.
With the loss of the tournament, the foundation “is watching our bottom line very carefully,” said Vandenhoek. “We are being more prudent.”
But the tournament is only part of the foundation’s “diverse development strategy,” said Vandehoek, adding “we can weather that storm. We don’t rely upon one source of revenue.”
The event, which the foundation’s executive director calls “one of the premiere tournaments in southern Alberta,” attracted a full flight of 156 golfers every year.
People who want to contribute the foundation’s fundraising efforts can do so at its website: http:www.crhfoundation.ca/events/italian_open.php Follow @albeebHerald on Twitter 4
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