The 37th annual Côte Saint-Luc Golf Classic will take place at Meadowbrook Golf Course on Thursday, July 7. Some 120 golfers will tee off beginning at 7 a.m., with a special awards banquet honouring long-time community leader and McDonald’s Restaurant franchisee Pierre Brunet set for the Aquatic and Community Centre (ACC) at 5794 Parkhaven Avenue at 1 p.m.

I will once again co-chairs the event with Councillor Sam Goldbloom. This year’s program will repeat the popular new format launched in 2015, as well as the two specific age classifications whereby players can compete (on a friendly basis) amongst their own age groups: MASTERS (age 65 and older) and EAGLE (age 64 and younger). The title sponsor this year will be La Capitale General Insurance. McDonald’s Restaurants of Quebec and Freemark Apparel Brands Inc. and its Bench brand are also among the sponsors. Veteran Côte Saint-Luc volunteer Ron Yarin is back as the honourary chair of the event along with Mark Routtenberg, president of Freemark Apparel Brands and former minority owner of the Montreal Expos. Paul Steinberg of Silver Star Mercedes Benz has arranged for someone to win the use of a car for one month if they get a hole in one and for three days as part of a draw.

Myself, Sam Goldbloom, Pierre Brunet and his general manager Dennis Murphy, Harold Cammy and Alvin Fishman at a meeting to launch proceedings.

The event will honour Brunet as the Personality of Distinction. He will be recognized for more than 30 years of dedicated service, not only as franchisee of two local McDonald’s Restaurants in Côte Saint-Luc, but for his undying support for community events. In addition, the event will pay special tribute and raise funds for the Manoir Ronald McDonald. This is a temporary home away from home for out-of-town (more than 70 km) families of children with critical illness who must travel here for medical treatments. Traditionally, Côte Saint-Luc directs proceeds from its annual Winter Carnival events to this facility located next door to Ste. Justine Hospital via a pancake breakfast. This has resulted in donations of close to $50,000 for the Manoir.

Côte Saint-Luc resident Matthew Ross, the host of TSN 690 Radio`s Game Points and the founder of Expos Nation will be the special guest speaker. Expos Nation has been working towards bringing professional baseball back to Montreal. Legendary broadcaster Dick Irvin will be among the golfers.

The format of play is called “Scramble” and is quite popular in today’s golf outings. This helps speed up the game for all players. The players decide which golfer hits the best shot off the tee and then all those from that foursome play their next shot from that point. Play continues from hole to hole in the same fashion for the rest of the outing.

In case of thunderstorms on Thursday July 7, the luncheon will proceed with festivities at the Aquatic and Community Center and golf will be postponed until the following Thursday, July 14. The same starting times will be honoured at Meadowbrook Golf Club, 8370 Côte Saint-Luc Road. History will note that this event has never been rained out before.

The registration fee will remain at $27 (tax included), which includes nine holes of golf, a catered sit down buffet luncheon, award-winning trophies for contests such as Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin, and the opportunity to win one of many door prizes. A minimum donation of $10 is also being requested for the Manoir. Businesses can also sponsor a hole, with proceeds going to the Manoir.

For more information contact Harold Cammy or Alvin Fishman at [email protected] or [email protected] or call 514-485-6806.

Here is a look at last year's  event.