Back for the first time since 2019, the seventh installment of the TravelBrands Annual Charity Golf Classic was held yesterday at Eagles Nest Golf Club in Maple, ON.

On a glorious September day, the travel industry came out in strength for what host and TravelBrands CEO Frank DeMarinis called “the premier golf tournament in the travel industry.”

It’s tough to argue with that. It’s a pricey tournament to enter, but all proceeds go towards the SickKids’ Labatt Family Heart Centre to support its goal of becoming the leading pediatric heart disease centre in the world. So far, TravelBrands has donated more than $1.5 million toward the Toronto facility that gives hope and healing to children from Canada and around the world.

During the event, DeMarinis upped the company’s pledge to the hospital. The original goal was $1 million, but with that surpassed, TravelBrands is vowing to raise another $1.5 million to bring the total to over $3 million.

“We’re going to get this work done,” said DeMarinis. “It’s a beautiful community (SickKids) has created to help people in their darkest moments.”

Golfers got lots for their money, on top of the pleasure of supporting a great cause. At various holes there were special treats, ranging from an oyster bar to an ice cream truck. The prize tables were laden with goodies, with each foursome taking home an attractive gift.

The highlight of the day came when 27-year-old SickKids patient ambassador Mark Maggiori spoke to the tournament crowd at dinner. First diagnosed with serious heart problems at just three months old, Maggiori was treated at SickKids and had 13 good years before his heart began to fail again. Through extraordinary efforts by SickKids staff, Maggiori got a new heart, and 14 years later he’s a healthy young man.

“Even though I’m not sick or a kid anymore, I’ve been a SickKids patient my entire life,” Maggiori said. “But you never felt like a sick kid in that place. They did everything possible to make you feel normal.” Maggiori earned a standing ovation for his story.

TravelBrands is owned by Japan-based H.I.S. Co., Ltd., and there were several representatives of the company at the tournament. A special guest was Sasayama Takuya, Japan’s Consul-General in Toronto.

“This is the best golf tournament I’ve ever been to,” he said. The Consul-General also expressed hope that many Canadians will begin travelling to Japan again, as COVID restrictions like pre-arrival testing have been lifted. “Soon there will be no visa required, I promise,” Takuya said.