The Canyon Lake Property Owners Association Board of Directors on Tuesday honored a group of individuals for their swift life-saving actions when a golfer suffered a heart attack on the golf course. The group was commended for their courage and quick thinking, recognizing their heroic efforts in a moment of crisis.
Residents Bobby Gunter, Walt Popper, Bob Stinson, Ron Kupke (not in attendance), and Golf Pro Shop employee Theo Delehanty were recognized for saving the life of 78-year-old Vern Kelch, who went into cardiac arrest after teeing off on hole three on February 3.
Gunter, Stinson, Popper, and Kupke sprang into action, working together to assist Kelch and perform CPR until Delehanty arrived with the on-site automated external defibrillator (AED). Delehanty used the AED in an attempt to restore Kelch’s heartbeat while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.
Kelch was transported to the hospital where doctors placed stents to open blocked arteries, a procedure that was critical to his recovery.
The rapid response of his fellow golfers, the availability of an AED on-site, and the knowledge of a trained employee were instrumental in saving Kelch’s life.
