John Darden, MD, and Pete Miller, co-chairs of the 19^th Annual Medical Center Open, announced at the 19^th Hole Reception that this year’s golf tournament, which benefits the heart of the community by providing lifesaving cardiac equipment for Gainesville City and Hall County schools and Georgia’s Region II Emergency Medical Services (EMS), raised $186,280.  The tournament was held at Chicopee Woods Golf Course.

 “This year’s goal was to raise $150,000 to benefit the heart of the community,” said Nancy Colston, executive director of The Medical Center Foundation.  Proceeds will allow Hall County Fire Services to place AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) in local schools and the Northeast Georgia Regional STEMI Program to place special cardiac transmission equipment in all Region II EMS vehicles and local emergency rooms.   “We are thrilled to exceed our goal for such an important cause,” says Colston.  “For individuals experiencing a heart attack, TIME = HEART MUSCLE.  The faster they are treated, the more heart muscle is saved.  Many thanks to our volunteer committee for their hard work and to our community for truly making the tournament a success.”

This year’s Medical Center Open, sponsored by Wachovia and The Medical Center Foundation, had nearly 200 sponsors, more than 200 players and 100 volunteers participating in the tournament.  McGarity’s Business Products/ Xerox Corporation sponsored the 19th Hole Reception.

Jim Campbell (right) won a brand new Honda Accord from Milton Martin Honda in Gainesville for getting a hole-in-one.  This is the first time in the history of the Medical Center Open that a golfer has shot a hole-in-one and won a car.