The Senators teed off Monday at the team’s annual Senators Charity Open presented by Bell. Hosted at The Marshes Golf Club, the day consisted of an 18-hole tournament accompanied by several fun activations around the course as well as both a silent and live auction. This year’s event helped to raise over $350,000 in funds towards the emergency services of mental health crisis in Gatineau, DIFD at the Royal Hospital, and the Youth Services Bureau.

The tournament’s shot-gun start was set for 10:30 a.m., but the day began long before that. Sens players arrived at the course at 9:00, which saw Claude Giroux, Thomas Chabot, and Tim Stützle speak to the media to start the day.

Afterwards, attendees gathered for opening remarks from Senators owner Michael Andlauer, Senators Community Foundation President Jacqueline Belsito, and Tammy Scott, Senior Vice President, Communications with Bell.

“It’s a special day for all of us in the hockey community, for many reasons,” spoke Andlauer as he spoke at the opening remarks. “What we do here is we’re a hockey community that’s gotten together off the ice and making a difference. We’re going to make a heck of a difference today with the Foundation and for that, as owner, I’m very grateful.”

“This hockey community does so many great things and I’m glad that we’re all part of it together,” said Andlauer. “We’re so blessed, and today we get to take that and give to the less fortunate, and for that I’m so very grateful and thankful.”

Tammy Scott spoke on the importance of the destigmatization surrounding the discussion of mental health.

“It was about removing the stigma around talking about mental health. I’m a mom of two kids, I see firsthand that they’re far more open and willing to have conversations, not just about how they feel physically, but how they feel emotionally. Early diagnosis and early treatment makes a world of difference in dealing with mental health issues throughout one’s life. That’s why all of the organizations who are going to receive funding today are making such a difference.”

Around the course were a number of unique activities at each hole, such as the Molson Drone Drop, the Ottawa Black Bears Longest Lax, and the Moxies Cluck, Chomp, & Chip Challenge. Following the day’s golf events, participants gathered in the Marshes clubhouse for dinner and a live auction.

Jacqueline Belsito highlighted the importance of the funds being raised at the event.

“The money that we’re raising today is going to at least three areas. One of the areas is that we’re going to help the emergency services of mental health crisis in Gatineau. The second thing we’re doing is we’re supporting DIFD at the Royal to encourage peer-to-peer support. We want people talking, and we know that our kids talk to other kids. Let’s get them talking. And lastly, we’re supporting YSB, who’s here with us today. One of the things we’re supporting is a 24/7 crisis line. There’s a real person, a qualified person, picking up that phone when a child or youth needs to talk to somebody. A real person is picking up that phone when our kids are in need. That’s what we’re doing today. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of our sponsors. Thank you to our owners. This really makes a difference to us, and we couldn’t be prouder to kick off the Sens Charity Open sponsored by Bell.”

The Ottawa Senators wish to thank the following sponsors for their help in making the Senators Charity Open presented by Bell happen: AON, Bell, Bump, Canadian Tire, CIBC, Claridge Homes, Dandurand Group, Dunrobin Distilleries, Entuitive, Gabriel Pizza, Herzig Eye Institute, Molson, Moxies, Nordik, the Ottawa Black Bears, Ottos BMW, PCL Construction, PXC, Rideau Carleton Casino, Surmesur, The Brick, Wayne Gretzky Estates

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