If it wasn't for the quick actions of the "9th Hole Guardian Angels" and an automated external defibrillator (AED) located at the Cochrane Golf Club, Andy Kirby may not be with us today.

His life was saved after suffering a heart attack on the 9th hole of the Cochrane Golf Club last Sept. 23.

To mark the first anniversary, a special charity golf tournament is being held next Friday to raise funds to make sure more AEDs are publically accessible in Cochrane.

Suitably named, the Andy Kirby Legacy AED Charity Golf Event, the fun scramble runs from 1 to 4 p.m. and costs $150 per golfer to participate. For that, there's a barbecue in advance of play, nine holes of golf, use of a golf course, and pub appetizers afterward. They'll also be a silent auction and brief presentation.

AED Brian WinterBrian Winter holds the AED located at the Cochrane branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. More are needed in town. (file photo)

Brian Winter, chair of the Cochrane EMS Crisis Citizens Action Group, says it's being organized by Andy Kirby's family in coordination with the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation. He's encouraging people to register now. before it's too late.

"We don't need your money right away, we just need you to call and say you have a team of four because we don't believe it will take long before we get to the maximum of 80 people for the tournament," he says.

Individuals can also register and will be grouped with three other golfers.

Andy Kirby has made a full recovery since his heart attack and will be participating in the tournament.

"Hopefully, we'll have a great weather day and a great time to celebrate the success of the mid-70-year-old golfer, and now he's actually going to be at the tournament on Saturday," says Winter.

Organizers are welcoming hole sponsorships. The cost is $500, and the sponsor is asked to man the hole from 1 to 4 p.m.

Data has been collected for several months by paramedic Rob Sweeny to determine where publically accessible AEDs are located in town and where others should be located. At this point, Winter says there are 19 AEDs that are known and registered with the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation

Below is a copy of the registration form.

registration form