Greg Olsen Hosts 2nd Annual HEARTest Yard Celebrity Golf Classic at Kiawah Island Club

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Kiawah Island Club and its owners, South Street Partners, were honored to join their member and friend, Greg Olsen – NFL analyst and former Carolina Panthers tight end – and his family to host the Second Annual HEARTest Yard Celebrity Classic presented by Lexus on June 11 – 12th at the Club’s Tom Fazio-designed River Course.

Olsen and his wife, Kara, started the HEARTest Yard Program in 2012 after their son T.J., was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Their goal is to help families of kids with congenital heart disease have access to the best cardiology and cardiac surgery care in the country. The program helps fund a range of services like private nursing care, physical therapy, and speech therapy.

Last year’s event raised $300,000, which went towards funding the expansion of this incredible pediatric cardiovascular foundation’s services to patients and families in the Charleston area. Greg Olsen was thrilled to present the event proceeds to MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.

This year’s two-day event featured a Sunday evening Reception at the River Course Club with a program hosted by Greg Olsen and Dr. Eric Graham (MUSC Children’s Hospital). Following an auction, Mark Bryan (Hootie & the Blowfish) led a celebrity concert with Jason Scheff (Chicago), Thomas McClary (Commodores), Taylor Hicks (American Idol), and others. The Monday celebrity golf outing included Greg’s NFL TV partners Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Rinaldi, and his former teammate, Luke Kuechly.

Olsen says they had around 300 people come out to the welcome event Sunday night to support the foundation.

“The biggest thing this year is just the growth,” Olsen said. “It’s incredible that, in such a short period of time, this event has really taken root and gotten a strong following.”

“At South Street, we believe that one of life’s greatest investments is time. The most priceless of course is time spent with loved ones and we are humbled that Greg and his family have utilized Kiawah Island for just that over the years. After learning more about T.J.’s story and the HEARTest Yard program, we knew that this was the perfect place to expand their efforts,” said Will Culp, Partner, South Street Partners, and new member of the Receptions for Research: Greg Olsen Foundation board of directors.

Under the auspices of Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC, the HEARTest Yard program was founded to fill a tremendous need for families of babies born with congenital heart disease and provides healthcare support and services to ease the transition from the hospital to home.

Through a partnership between Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation and Atrium Health Foundation, the HEARTest Yard Fund offers a range of services, including in-home private nursing care, physical therapy, and speech therapy, at no charge to families. The program ultimately aims to help prevent children’s complications from congenital heart disease and improve their long-term health. In December 2020, the Olsen family opened The HEARTest Yard Congenital Heart Center at Levine Children’s Hospital to provide comprehensive medical care to cardiac patients from birth through adulthood. In its first year of operation, more than 25,000 patients received treatment in the heart center. The services provided by The HEARTest Yard program will soon also be offered at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.

The program currently serves the greater Charlotte community but as the foundation grows – and the needs of the Carolinas grow – the HEARTest Yard and South Street were inspired to help heart babies and their families being treated at the world-class MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. MUSC and South Street have enjoyed a long-time partnership and The HEARTest Yard is helping ensure the pediatric and congenital heart patients and their families in South Carolina have access to the best possible cardiology and cardiac surgery care in the country. Their support ensures MUSC Children’s Health can help provide comprehensive family-based care. MUSC and The HEARTest Yard believe that focusing on holistic care offers the greatest opportunity to fully leverage the science and innovation that the medical and surgical team provide. MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital cares for the sickest children and congenital patients in South Carolina and beyond, requiring the most advanced care. The HEARTest Yard is a critical partner in the mission, and we look forward to collaborating for years to come.

Greg Olsen will present a check with proceeds from the Second Annual HEARTest Yard Celebrity Classic to MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital later this summer.