Our 2017 Golf Classic and luncheon honouring Johnny Elias was one fantastic affair; funds raised to help families in need
July 10, 2017
The Côte Saint-Luc Golf Classic is like fine wine. It gets better with age. Our 38th edition at Meadowbrook on July 6 was no different. Besides the fact that our foursomes sold out by the middle of May, this event was packed with so much action we probably could have carried it over a few days.
A few years ago then Mayor Anthony Housefather issued a challenge to me. This golf event had slumped to less than 50 participants and needed a boost. I sat down with Harold Cammy and Alvin Fishman, our jewels at the Parks and Recreation Department and proposed that we drop the word “seniors” from the program, get a title sponsor and select an honouree. It was the precise recipe we needed and sellouts have been recorded ever since.
This year we honoured Johnny Elias, a long-time volunteer and past owner of the Grand Slam Baseball School. Johnny recently agreed to loan nearly 50 years’ worth of baseball memorabilia to Côte Saint-Luc. Just a week before the event I reached out to former Montreal Expos pitcher Bill Lee, an old friend of Johnny’s. He agreed to come down as a special guest, bringing his son Andy and wife Diana along. Lee has been the subject of several books and movies. A motion picture starring Josh Duhamel in the title role called Spaceman was released last year. Lee travels the country as a guest speaker and still pitches at the age of 71. Last year he ran for Governor of Vermont. He can be heard regularly on Melnick in the Afternoon on TSN 690 Radio. Councillor Glenn Nashen and I were fortunate to golf with Bill, Andy and Station 9 Police Commander Jean O’Malley. What a blast that was!
One rinkle in the event occurred with a large train stopped on the tracks, preventing anyone from reaching the final hole. Commander O’Malley contacted the right people and eventually it was on the move. The weather was absolutely picture perfect. In fact, in 38 years we have never had a rainout.
Marc Ezerzer and Hagai Brener from the Côte Saint-Luc-based Vantage Mortgage and Real Estate Group were this year`s new sponsors. They were very generous. Bill Lee was hosted at the Hotel Ruby Foo’s on Decarie and we were pleased to have their representatives at our luncheon. Ezerzer arranged for him to stay an extra night and play for his team in the CSL Executive Softball League.
At the luncheon we officially inaugurated the Pierre Brunet Parks and Recreation Bursary Fund, which is sponsored by local McDonald’s franchisee Pierre Brunet. The Fund will be used to help local families who need financial help to register their children in recreation programs. Funds will also support children with special needs. Pierre Brunet has been involved in our helping our community for many years. This new initiative will have a direct impact in the lives of many kids in our community. It was last winter when Pierre broached the subject with me, seeking a new fundraising outlet for the proceeds from his annual McHappy Day event. I sat down with Harold Cammy soon after Pierre’s challenge and we came up with this idea.
Pierre Brunet announced that $4,700 was raised at the two McHappy Days in CSL this year. Our CSL Men’s Club, via coffee sold (courtesy of McDonald’s) at their weekly meetings brought in $700. President Syd Kronish announced that number had been matched by the club, bringing it to $1,400. Mannie Young from the Men’s Club stepped up to the microphone and announced that thanks to a Foundation established by his grandchildren Jesse, Zoe, Andie and Cooper Young, an additional $500 was being contributed.
Steve Woloz from the CSL Model Aeronautics Association was so impressed he immediately wrote a cheque for $270. We raffled off a full weekend with a Silver Star Mercedes. Proceeds from that went to the fund. Quebec Liberal MNA for D’Arcy McGee David Birnbaum promised to add to this as well so it looks as if we will kick this fund off with more than $7,000. Information will appear in our Parks and Recreation booklet in terms of how people can apply.
Pierre Brunet’s team, by the way, supplied golfers with coffee and some delicious Danish before teeing off.
Bill Lee was brought on stage by CSL resident and TSN 690 Radio show host Matthew Ross. What followed was an absolutely priceless performance worthy of a Just for Laughs Festival booking. Bill is brilliant and hilarious and I could literally sit and listen to him talk all day. He also shared with us the very close relationship he has maintained with Johnny Elias from the days he played with the Expos. When he was released in 1982, Johnny hired him immediately to be an instructor at his camp. It truly is remarkable how Bill has maintained such a connection to our city for more than 30 years. “Johnny and I are like brothers,” Bill said.
Our own Darryl Levine produced this superb video tribute of Johnny.
After Johnny said a few words, with his devoted wife Marlene and family in the audience, we rolled out a surprise cake shaped like the baseball field at Kirwan Park. Everyone was touched.
We did not give out any trophies this year. That is because the train incident prevented some people from reaching the holes where the competitions took place.
My co-chair Sam Goldbloom concluded proceedings by handing out a slew of door prizes.
What can we do for an encore? I am sure Harold and I will get together to brainstorm very soon.
Just fantastic event. And one great feature is that this tournament allows residents to enjoy and appreciate our most precious green space in CSL Meadowbrook golf course. We have to thank Mike Johnstone and his team for running it so well.
Posted by: Berku | July 11, 2017 at 08:33 AM