TROIS-RIVIERES, QUE -- Former Montreal Canadiens right-winger
Bobby Rousseau was a gracious host and the weather cooperated with sunny skies and a slight breeze at the McGill Martlet basketball team's second annual summer golf tournament, held at "Links O'Loup", le club de golf de Louiseville, on June 10.
It was the home course for Rousseau, a 1960 Olympic silver-medalist who was the NHL rookie of the year in 1962 and scored 703 career points during 15 seasons in the NHL -- including stints with the Habs (1960 to 1970, Minnesota North Stars (1970-71) and New York Rangers (1971 to 1975) -- and just happens to be the 75-year-old grandfather of recent Martlet hoops grad
Marie-Pier Bastrash (2012 to 2015).
The event was well attended, with 18 foursomes scheduled for a shotgun start in the best-ball format. The tournament was initiated with a ceremonial tee-off from this year's honorary captain
Philip Quintal, who, has returned to his role as associate director at McGill Athletics & Recreation.
The winning team fired a 12-under par produced by the group of
Martin Fortier (head coach at CEGEP Montmorency),
Paul Ross,
Stephane Starmino and
Patrick Girard. That group, which guaranteed a win months in advance, easily wrestled the trophy from last year's winning foursome of
Andrew Persons,
Perry Karnofsky,
Bill Duke and
Kieran Duke, which shot a combined 1-under par.
Sally MacDougall, who served as last year's honorary captain, also shot a solid round, playing with McGill golf coach
Bob Dubeau. Their score came in far ahead of legendary McGill hoops grad
Denburk Reid, currently coaching at Concordia, who did his best to represent the men's side of the draw. During Homecoming Week in late October, both Dubeau and Reid will be among six new inductees to the McGill Sports Hall of Fame.
Martlet soccer bench boss
Jose-Luis Valdes won the closest-to-the-pin contest, sponsored by Freshii's. The longest drive competition, sponsored by Quality Sports, went to
Duane John (director of athletics at CEGEP Montmorency) and
Krista Zeidan of McGill Athletics.
Patrick Poissant claimed the straightest drive competition, sponsored by TaylorMade Golf.
At the post-tourney dinner and awards gala, guests were introduced to Marc Gelinas, recently appointed executive director of McGill Director of Athletics and Recreation. His playing foursome, which included Quintal,
Geoff Phillips and Martlets Hockey coach
Peter Smith, shot a respectable 5-under par to finish seven strokes ahead of the Redmen Football foursome, led by head coach
Ronald Hilaire. Rumours leaked from the clubhouse that next year, Coach Hilaire was promising to bring in some ringers from his storied alumni group.
As for Martlet Basketball's prowess on the course, let's just say that a great time was had by all. Head coach
Ryan Thorne reports that they had a very enjoyable time and managed to raise some funds for his program, which is coming off their fifth consecutive first-place finish in the Quebec conference.
A special thanks to the Rousseau family, all the even's major sponsors (Quality Sports, Bloombergsen, Letko Brosseau, Freshii, RSM Richter) and those who donated gifts (Redbird Sports Shop, Subway, Ye Olde Orchard, Delta, TaylorMade Golf, Coke, Molson, Red Bull).
SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
McGill Sports Info Office
514-398-7012
