‘Agape Classic’ golfers raise $6,500 for a great cause
Martin C. Barry
As if things couldn’t be any sunnier after a decade, there wasn’t so much as a cloud in the sky on Tuesday Sept. 13 as supporters descended on the Victorien golf course in Mirabel to take part in the 10th anniversary Agape Classic fundraising golf tournament.
With that, the tournament’s organizers can say they’ve had a 10-year-long unbroken streak of fine weather for their annual event to benefit Agape, Laval’s leading English-language charitable services provider.
The tournament drew at least 64 golfers eager to enjoy their favourite game while contributing to one of the most worthy causes in Laval. “I guess September has always been a good month for us to hold this,” said Kevin McLeod, Agape’s executive-director. In all, this year’s Agape Classic raised $6,500.
Among the items up during a silent auction segment this year were hockey jerseys from Alexander Ovechkin and P.K. Subban, as well as a large framed image of Habs goaltender Carey Price. There were also tickets to Canadiens games, gift certificates for restaurants and wine baskets. Before setting off onto the fairways with a shotgun start, the early birds got to indulge themselves in a big traditional breakfast.
Caisse’s long sponsorship
In addition to the 10-year milestone, the Caisse Desjardins de Chomedey also marked a decade of being the Agape Classic’s principal sponsor. “As has been the tradition for the past 10 years, this year we helped Agape once again with the organization of the tournament,” said Daniel Rousseau, president of the Chomedey Caisse. According to Rousseau, it was the Caisse that planted the seed for the golf tournament when board members suggested to Kevin McLeod that an event such as the Agape Classic would be a great fundraiser.
It’s hard to keep Fr. Michael Leclerc, Agape’s unofficial chaplain, away from the Agape Classic considering he’s an avid golfer to begin with. In all, he’s missed just a single tournament: the first one. “When I see the value in what they do, the help they bring to the community and the resources they provide, for me it becomes a no-brainer to come and support Agape in recognition of this,” said Leclerc who is also vice-president of the board.
