The inaugural Hearts and Health Classic got underway at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort in Lethbridge on Wednesday. The one-day event aims to raise money for the Bringing Hearts Home Cardiac Campaign. The initiative is working to build a cardiac centre of excellence at Chinook Regional Hospital to improve cardiac care in southern Alberta. The new tournament fills the gap left by the Val Matteotti Italian Open, which ended after 30 years in 2024. That tournament helped raise $1.7 million for health care. Organizers of Hearts and Health say the tournament is all about supporting the community. “The heart program—it really is needed,” said Ron Sakamoto, Paradise Canyon Golf Resort owner. “It affects so many people and so many families that it’s something the southern Alberta people need.” “I think it speaks to how committed this community is for what this cause means, for not only us, but our children, our community and family,” said Jason Kirbyson with the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation. “That’s why i think we’ve raised so much and we’re going to continue to raise a lot—because this community really came behind this mission, this vision, and we’re all supporting it.” The Hearts and Health Classic has raised nearly $200,000 so far.
