Golfers participated in the 41st Redlands Community Hospital Foundation’s Golf Classic for the Ken Corwin Cup this month raising $200,000 for the Redlands Community Hospital Center for Cancer Care. The tournament was held at the Redlands Country Club with 140 golfers participating.
The annual tournament has evolved into Redlands Community Hospital (RCH) Foundation’s largest and most visible fundraising event. The event raised vital funds through sponsorships, a live auction, raffles, and participant fees. The tournament was managed by 60 volunteers from the Redlands Community Hospital Auxiliary, hospital staff, the community at large, and the Redlands Country Club.
Live auction items included: Los Angeles Angels tickets donated by Tom Rochford, Dodger’s tickets, and a Lake Arrowhead cabin getaway donated by Golf Classic committee member Tom Cutler. Bidding was lively for a one-week stay at a cabin in Montana and a whiskey-tasting party donated by Bob Driessnack, RCH Foundation board member. The daylong event was co-chaired by Redlands residents Tom and Karen Kaney.
“The Golf Classic is a fun day that brings the community together along with hospital staff and vendors to raise money for our Redlands Community Hospital,” said Kaney. "I have had surgery at RCH in 1978, 2008, and 2018 and my experience was excellent each time. This is a day for everyone to support our hospital and have some fun,” Kaney said.
Proceeds from the tournament will support the RCH Center for Cancer Care. Cancer patients are now able to be treated close to home for diagnosis, infusion, and radiation treatments.
An award was given to the medical staff at RCH, who collectively are the largest financial contributors spanning the tournament’s history. Dr. Evan Houck, medical director of the emergency department at RCH, accepted the award on behalf of his colleagues.
Hatfield Buick served as the hole-in-one sponsor and offered a chance for golfers to demonstrate their excellence and win $35,000 towards the purchase of a new Buick on the par-3 third hole.
“This tournament is so important to the hospital,” said Jan Opdyke, president of the RCH Foundation. “Not only does it give the community and hospital staff an opportunity to enjoy a day of golf and friendship, but it raises a significant amount of money for important hospital programs that ultimately save lives. We look forward to the tournament each and every year, and this year was no exception.”
The Ken Corwin Cup memorializes Kenton W. Corwin, longtime president of the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation and a prime mover in the tournament’s creation. Forty years later, his dedication and commitment continue to be reflected in the Golf Classic’s success.
To learn more about the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation, visit www.redlandshospital.org/foundation.