The golf tournament held in honour of Andy Kirby is going to result in more Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) being available for emergency use in Cochrane.

Tournament organizer Kurtis Foote, Andy's son-in-law and head teaching professional at the Valley Ridge Golf Academy, says it has raised about $5,600 to place more AEDs in Cochrane. Additionally, two businesses said they intend to install them at their operations, and another business has offered to purchase one to be placed somewhere in the community.

Representatives of the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation were at the tournament and located an AED at one of the holes to demonstrate their value.

A tournament was organized here on Sept. 23 and one was held previously in Calgary in the name of Andy Kirby, whose life was saved on the 9th hole green of the Cochrane Golf Club, thanks to the quick action of a group of people and the use of the AED located in the clubhouse of the Cochrane Golf Club.

Brian Winters, chair of the Cochrane EMS Crisis Citizens Action Group, says the tournament's success is good news for Cochranites.

"It was a great day, a great tournament. Everybody walked around with a smile on their face, and the meal and speeches were perfect. It was a special day all around."

He says a follow-up meeting will be held soon to discuss the next steps in ordering the AEDs.

Foote says the intent is to make it an annual event and it will return to the Cochrane Golf Club unless it grows too large and may be moved to the Woodside Golf Course in Airdrie.