The Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament is really on a roll, moving from one prestigious private golf club to the next — this year teeing off at the renowned Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.

Now in its fourth year, the sold-out fundraiser hit a new record on Monday, raising just over $300,000 for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI). That Canada’s foremost cardiac care centre is based right here in Ottawa wasn’t lost on its local supporters.

“I think we have to really be grateful for the fact that we have one of the best cardiac care centres in the world,” said tournament committee chair Leslie “Les” Mise, general manager of Audi West Ottawa, before proudly presenting the ceremonial cheque.

Registration for next year is expected to open soon, with the event planning beginning in just a few weeks. “We’re ramping up very quickly,” Mise added — also thanking UOHI for the “gift of time” it’s given him as a heart patient. Mise is also on the board of the UOHI Foundation.

University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) and UOHI Foundation staff and volunteers with the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament gathered with their ceremonial cheque in the amount of $303,911.90 outside the clubhouse of Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The tournament welcomed 144 golfers, all of whom were treated to exceptional hospitality complete with food, drinks and golf swag. Partners included The Thirst Responder, Luxe Bistro, Biagio’s, Greek Village Souvlaki and Aurelius Fine Olive Oils & Balsamic Vinegars. True to its mission, the tournament even featured a supervised blood pressure monitoring station — a unique perk that drew more than a few concerned return visitors.

Returning as presenting sponsor was ServiceMaster Clean and ServiceMaster Restore. “It’s easy to come back,” said president and owner John Cooke, praising the tournament’s top-notch organization and how it treats its partners. “It’s our intention to be back for many years to come.”

Quoting Shakespeare (not something you hear often on a golf course), Cooke summed up his take on the day with: “One beautiful heart is better than a thousand beautiful faces.”

He later bid the generously high amount of $5,000 during the live auction to win a barbeque package that included a new Broil King BBQ, $500 gift card to The Wellington Butchery, LCBO gift card and YETI hard cooler.

The high-energy auction was led by Raising the Bid’s Ryan Watson, who seriously has more oomph than a golfer at full swing after shotgunning a Red Bull.

From left, University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation president Lianne Laing, ServiceMaster Clean and ServiceMaster Restore president John Cooke and his COO, Lewis Marquez, at the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club on Monday, June 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Live auctioneer Ryan Watson from Raising the Bid at the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club on Monday, June 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The auction was held during the dinner reception, which was attended by the UOHI’s president and CEO, Dr. Rob Beanlands; former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty, board chair of the UOHI; UOHI Foundation board chair James Annis, investment advisor at BMO Nesbitt Burns; and TSN 1200 all-sports talk radio station’s Gord Wilson, colour analyst for the Ottawa Senators. He helped out as emcee.

Dr. Beanlands outlined the Heart Institute’s vision to become a world leader in advancing cardiac and heart health, emphasizing the important role of public support. “It’s not possible without the community,” he added. “The two are intertwined.”

Among the big bidders was Newfound Recruitment president and CEO Steve Stanley, who bought a pair of Air Canada business class tickets to Europe and a getaway to Cozumel, Mexico, donated by mortgage broker Rebecca Rousseau. The trip also included flexible destination tickets from WestJet.

“We want to give back any way we can,” Stanley told CiTC today by phone. His company was a first-time sponsor. “Honestly, since leaving yesterday, I haven’t stopped raving about the event. It was excellent. Everything ran like clockwork.”

This year marked the tournament’s move from The Royal Ottawa Golf Club to the Ottawa Hunt, where UOHI Foundation president Lianne Laing said, “We’re hoping to stay here for a while.”

From left, Newfound Recruiting’s Neil Henry, Todd LeSage, Richard Moss and president and CEO Steve Stanley were among the supporters of the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club on Monday, June 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Lindsay Firestone (director of community engagement and development at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) Foundation), UOHI president and CEO Dr. Rob Beanlands, UOHI Foundation president Lianne Laing, and emcee and guest speaker Gord Wilson, from TSN 1200,  at the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ian Sterling, president of Doherty & Associates Investment Counsel and a UOHI Foundation board member, successfully bid $7,000 for a luxury Muskoka getaway on Lake Joseph. The package, which includes golfing, was donated by Ian J Mise & Family Charitable Foundation.

Other members of the OUHI Foundation board included Ken Jennings (CEO of Jennings Group of Companies) and Jake Levinson (president of Levinson Group of Companies).

Levinson – who last month chaired the city’s largest charity pickleball tournament for the Heart Institute – enjoyed a beautiful and relaxing day golfing with his dad, brother and buddy at Ottawa Hunt, where he’s a member. “It’s my favourite place to golf in the city,” he added.

Levinson is part of the second-generation of UOHI supporters. Other examples include Alexandros Reklitis, lead project manager at University of Ottawa. His father Jim Reklitis, used to chair an earlier version of the golf tournament. Meanwhile, Alex Kealey (Sutherland Investment Group at CG Wealth Management) volunteered on the organizing committee with mom Korey Kealey (RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group).

From left, Curtis Holmes and Jake Levinson with Levinson’s dad, Steve Levinson, and brother, Matt Levinson, at the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Korey Kealey and her son Alex Kealey volunteered on the organizing  committee for the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Nick McRae (chief operating officer at Switzer-Carty Transportation Services), Norman Lieff, Chris Packman (project manager at Jennings Real Estate ) and Ken Jennings (CEO at Jennings Group of Companies) participated in the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament committee member Alexandros Reklitis with his dad, Jim Reklitis, at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Calian Group CEO Kevin Ford, Kevin Tyrrell and Calian director Adam Smith were out supporting the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Gord Wilson spoke with humour and gratitude about the care he received at the Heart Institute after he suffered a mild heart attack five years ago, on Sunday, February 16, 2000.

“I’m terrible with dates but, for some reason, I remember that one — probably not because of the episode but because it was a Game Day,” he joked, noting that he was supposed to be working the Ottawa Senators versus Dallas Stars game. “The last thing I wanted to do was miss (it).”

Even as paramedics were taking him to the Queensway Carleton Hospital, he was thinking he’d go straight from the ER to the rink. Instead, he was sent from the hospital to the Heart Institute for tests. “At this point, the score was 2-2, Sens and Stars.”

Wilson required an angiogram that involved injecting dye into his bloodstream through either the wrist or the groin. As he stood in his gown and socks, a nurse warned him the operating room would be cold.

“Now, the male ego is a funny thing,” said Wilson. “You’d think I’d be thinking of my four children, my two beautiful golden retrievers, the hockey game … but standing there nearly completely naked, all I could think was: ‘Please go in through the wrist’.

“They went through the groin, and I could hear one nurse joke that they were taking the path of least resistance,” he laughed.

Wilson also shared that his father was one of first patients of the late Dr. Wilbert Keon, who founded the Heart Institute in 1976 — almost 50 years ago. Wilson’s father underwent quadruple bypass surgery after suffering a massive heart attack.

“Dr. Keon’s groundbreaking and lifesaving abilities gave me and my family an extra 30 years with my dad, so it’s very humbling to be here,” said Wilson.

Gord Wilson shared his personal connection to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at its Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Greg Roscoe (Raymond James), Joe Gerard, Focus Eye Centre director Kevin Chadwick and Lindsay Hockey (Colliers Canada) golfed together in the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Dr. Rob Beanlands, president and CEO of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, seen thanking golfers at the Wilbert Keon Golf Tournament for their support. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Retired lawyer Jacques Emond, a long-time supporter of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, at the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Michael Maidment, president and CEO of the Ottawa Community Foundation, golfed with Peter Coleman, Gifford Car Insurance president and CEO Matt Carr, and family law lawyer Manny Grewal at the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, from left, Donna MacLeod, Erika MacPhee (vice president of clinical operations), Cindy Cross and Taylor Kingsbury at the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Wilbert Keon Golf Tournament chair Lesley “Les” Mise revealed how much money was raised — $303, 911.90 — in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Jake Zabel, Warren Wilkins, Hunter McGee and Elliott Cooke, in matching tops, were back to participate in the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Participants of the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament gathered inside the clubhouse at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club for a dinner reception, and live auction and prizes. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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