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Brock Binder, 5, accepts a golf prize for his team from event co-chairmen Tim Otteman and Rob Burgan.
Brock’s team included his father, Jim Binder, VP of Consumer Credit at Isabella Bank, his uncle, Tom, and
his grandfather, Nelson. Brock was yet again the youngest “zipper” participant in the outing. His “zipper”
scar comes from open heart surgery to repair a genetic defect.
The 26th Annual Charles E. Anthony Memorial Zipper Open took place Thursday, June 14 and was blessed not only with gorgeous weather, but with much enthusiasm and generosity from organizations and individuals all across the state, raising more than $42,000 to support cardiac services at McLaren Central Michigan. The charity golf outing is a long-standing tradition at the hospital.
The first outing was organized 26 years ago by local businessman Charles E. Anthony for the benefit of several of his "zipper" (heart surgery) friends. Because golf is good exercise for heart patients, Charlie encouraged his friends to join him on the golf course often, organizing the “Zipper” Open for those who had the zipper-like scar from open heart surgery on their chest.
After a few years, Charlie and his group joined with McLaren Central Michigan and opened the event to all local residents as a fundraiser to benefit cardiac services at the hospital. Charlie, who passed away in 1995, was a strong supporter of McLaren Central Michigan. He was appreciative of the role the hospital played in diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of local cardiac patients.
The Zipper Open had 40 generous sponsors this year, and 44 golf teams. Isabella Bank served again as title sponsor, and provided volunteers for morning registration. McLaren Central Michigan would like to specially thank Isabella Bank for their unwavering commitment to this event. We would also like to thank closing sponsor, Bandit Industries, Inc., and lunch sponsor, The Morey Foundation, both of which have supported the outing for several years.
The Zipper Open has raised more than $400,000 for McLaren Central Michigan over the years. Funds raised from the 2012 outing will go toward the purchase of equipment for McLaren Central Michigan's new off-site cardiac diagnostic testing location, The Heart Center, located at 5115 E. Pickard Street in Mt. Pleasant. This extension of the Heart & Vascular Center will provide patients in need of cardiac diagnostic testing with more convenient access to care. It will also serve as the new Mt. Pleasant practice location for cardiologists Sudeep Mohan, MD and Abraham Krepostman, MD, FACC.
McLaren Central Michigan would like to thank the Zipper Open Committee members and all other volunteers who donated their time and talents to make this event a success.
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