Premier Legault with Meadowbrook Manager Mike Johnson. Is it an accident that he is standing in front of the English part of the signage?

The Côte Saint-Luc Golf Invitational,  organized by our city council in cooperation with the Men's Club, took place at Meadowbrook on Tuesday, August 6. It was a gorgeous day to hit the links and while I have a lot to share the biggest news came away from our event. When I went to rent my electric cart, I learned that  someone who is not known to show much fondness for the anglophone community has come to golf here on at least three occasions this summer, most recently the previous Friday. Yes, I am talking about the Premier of Quebec, François Legault.

Wouldn't it have been nice for the Premier to organize a foursome with Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, D'Arcy McGee Liberal MNA Elisabeth Prass and Mount Royal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather?  I am shocked the Premier even knows where Côte Saint-Luc is; although his Repentigny MNA and Minister for Higher Education Pascale Déry lived in our community for many years before moving to Hampstead.

According to personnel I spoke to at Meadowbrook, Legault came with his family and a security detail. At least one family member stated that the venue was chosen specifically because it was in an English area where they would not necessarily be recognized. Perhaps Meadowbrook should start asking for certificates of English eligibility to golf? All kidding aside, Mayor Brownstein was golfing with Councillor Dida Berku and former mayor Robert Libman. They were all quite interested to hear the Premier came to CSL. Our mayor will indeed formally invite him to come golf with him so they can discuss the Cavendish Boulevard extension and keeping Meadowbrook as green space for eternity.

My foursome, including Amelio Santini, Peter Lipari and Buddy Manis.

Review of our Golf Event

And now back to our golf outing, First off, a big thanks to staff Irene Lahaie and Moe Giobbi for all of the hard work they did. This was only part one. Our special awards banquet reception will take place at the end of September, an upgrade from the luncheon event we held in past years. From the Men's Club, Mark Kotler, Mannie Young and Norman Goldfield have been key contributors. I am proud to have served as the lead elected official on the file, with Councillors Berku and Lior Azerad on board. Our honoree this year was noted sportsman Eli "Buddy" Manis. At 83 years young he is in remarkable condition. He still plays ice hockey once a week and despite tearing his rotator cuff a few months ago in a game, he soldiers on telling me "I'm too old for surgery. Buddy was in my foursome with Peter Lipari, the prince of a man who runs the CSL Shopping Centre  IGA and a longstanding sponsor of our event. Rounding out the group was 16 year old Amelio Santini, a CSL resident who is headed for greatness.  He is an elite hockey player who was drafted by the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Maritimes Major Junior Hockey League. There are indeed dreams of the NHL dancing in his head. Listen to my podcast with him here.

A big thanks to McDonald's Pierre Brunet and his team.

Officials sponsors were real estate agents Marc Ezerzer and Hagai Brener from Vantage Mortgage & Realty Group and  Philippe Mamane, a wealth management advisor   at Assante Wealth Management.  Proceeds from the event will go to the Parks and Recreation Bursary Fund, which assists parents with financial difficulties and children’s with special needs in registering for specific programs they might otherwise not be able to afford.

Pierre Brunet, Amelio Santini, Philippe Mamane and myself.

The team from Pierre Brunet’s McDonald’s franchise at the Côte St. Luc Shopping Centre welcomed golfers as they got set to tee off with coffee and muffins. Pierre was there personally to welcome folks. He is a special human being who has always been there for us.

With Buddy Manis, Dida Berku, Mitchell Brownstein and Robert Libman.

There were trophies up for grabs for the longest drive and closest to the pin (male and female categories). We will find out the winners at our banquet.

With Mannie Young and Buddy Manis.

I am hardly a good golfer. But I really do look forward to this event each summer. It is a way to truly enjoy the beauty of Meadowbrook. Developers have wanted to turn this space in a large housing development for decades. Our council has stood firmly against this.  I have heard, though, from some potential investors who would love to purchase the property. They'd maintain the golf course (two nine-hole courses straddling Côte Saint-Luc, Montreal West and Lachine) and build a large reception hall and restaurant to host weddings, celebrations and meetings. This would be a winning solution!

With the English Montreal School Board foursome of Jack Chadirdjian, Mario Cardin,  Nick Katalifos and Mario Argiropoulos. They proudly meet now former Royal Vale student Amelio Santini.

Marty Lipes with Joan, Helen and Morty Zafran.