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The first time I laid eyes on Larry Choate, he was in the middle of a crowd outside the Arvest Bank branch on Broadway, standing close to a fired-up barbecue rig and shouting just to have a conversation over the loud music. It was May 19, 2005, and this was a bank cook-out on the parking lot. I can't say this in total authority, but ?it had to be the hottest May 19 in history. There was absolutely no shade.

“I'm here to take your picture,” I screamed. He had ?to cup his hand around his ear to hear me. Guests, many of whom were still in their business attire, sweated profusely. Evidently, Choate never worried about this old advice: Never let them see you sweat. I watched him for some time and came away thinking that the man could take the heat, literally.

Since his arrival in August 2004, Choate, chairman and CEO of Arvest Bank Little Rock, has made his mark. In short order he began to take leadership roles on the boards of a number of organizations: Baptist Health Foundation, Lions World Services for the Blind Foundation, American Red Cross (chairman), Fifty for the Future, Arkansas Bankers Association, UALR Board of Visitors, UALR Economic Conference Advisory Board, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and Little Rock Marathon (chairman of the '08 and '09 race).

Serving as chairman of the Little Rock Marathon ?in March, Choate helped raise the profile of the event ?as well as the number of participants.

He makes overseeing 27 Arvest branches in central Arkansas and taking leadership roles on major non-?profit boards seem like just a normal day at the office. That's why he wasn't daunted when asked to take on ?the chairmanship of the state's largest charity golf event, Baptist Health's 18th annual Bolo Bash tournament ?May 5-6 at Chenal Country Club. By press time for this article, Baptist Health tournament staff said they were closing in on $1 million from Bolo Bash.

When I asked him if he had ever chaired a golf tournament before, this was his answer: “No. The continued success of the Bolo Bash is what interested ?me in becoming involved. It is by far the best-run golf tournament that I've ever seen.”

As a board member of the Baptist Health Foundation, he knows full well why the tournament is so important.

“This year's proceeds will go to the transplant program. Because of the many charitable donations of the benefactors of Baptist Medical Center and through the generosity of the Baptist Health Foundation, we hope to open the Baptist Health Heart and Kidney Transplant Institute on the 20th anniversary of the transplant programs at Baptist in 2009,” he said. The facility will be placed in an unfinished open space on the fourth floor ?of the Hickingbotham Outpatient Center.

“There is no other like this in Arkansas. Our hope as we open the institute is to recruit statewide so that we can bring ?our heart transplant numbers up, so that our patients will have a wider variety of insurance carriers from which to choose. This will help keep Arkansans in-state ?for these sensitive procedures,” he added.

According to information provided by the foundation office, the Baptist Health heart and kidney transplant programs began in 1989. Baptist Health is the only active adult heart transplant provider and the only adult ventricular assist device (VAD) provider in Arkansas. To date, more than 148 people have received ?a new heart and more than 690 people have received a new kidney.

The transplant institute isn't just a milestone for the programs but a celebration of life for those who receive an organ. Through the years, the transplant service has functioned without the ben-efit of a specifically designated facility ?to accommodate the program. Having ?a transplant institute will let patients ?and their families receive pre-transplant through post-transplant care close to home and under one roof. This is easier ?on the patient and allows friends and family to support the patient throughout the process.

Bolo Bash attracts mostly Little Rock golfers, but the Baptist Health Foundation would like to grow the event by attracting golfers from across the state. This year's event will host 670 players, including Choate, who has played in the tournament for years. The 150 tournament volunteers also include some Arvest employees.

As in business, nonprofits have to worry about the competition. “There ?is a very competitive environment for nonprofit events in Little Rock,” Choate said. “The challenge is always to bring ?in new sponsors, which is the only way ?to grow. It is also a challenge maintaining and increasing the level of success of this size of a tournament.”

In order to maintain the tournament's status from year to year, Choate said, “We continually ask for feedback—from the golfers, donors, volunteers, anyone who takes part of the tournament—and then we act upon it.”

Despite the heavier than normal rain in central Arkansas during April, Choate said the Bolo Bash goes on rain or shine, with one exception. “The Chenal Country Club golf pro will make the call if we can't play because of rain. Baptist Health has been blessed because there hasn't been any ?rain that canceled the tournament in our history,” he said.

Baldwin & Shell Construction Co. has been the Ace presenting sponsor for all ?18 years.

An April 30 exclusive event at the home of Pat and Bill Carlton featured Dixie Carter, best known as Julia Sugarbaker ?in the long-running CBS television series “Designing Women.” Carter, who is also known as a cabaret singer, will sing. On May 1, Carter will speak at the 11:30 a.m. Bolo Bash Luncheon at Baptist Health's ?J.A. Gilbreath Conference Center following a health fair and silent auction.

For information concerning Bolo Bash, contact Missy Lewis, executive vice president of the Baptist Health Foundation, ?at (501) 202-1513 or e-mail missy.lewis@?baptist-health.org.