CLEC’s annual Charity Golf Classic raises money for summer supports

Team LaSalle won the Municipal Cup at last Thursday’s Community Living Essex County (CLEC) Charity Golf Classic. Former mayor Ken Antaya and Councillor Mark Carrick accept the trophy from CLEC executive director Corey Dalgleish. Also on the team were Joe Milicia and Tano Ferraro.

Golfers hit the links last Thursday all to help people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

Community Living Essex County (CLEC) presented its 34th annual Charity Golf Classic July 9 at Sutton Creek Golf Club in McGregor. Proceeds go to aid youth and families get the supports they need over the summer.

CLEC executive director Corey Dalgleish said the golf tournament proceeds will aid in the organization’s mission.

“It was amazing,” he said of the day-long tournament.

The money raised will help families pay for additional support workers since children and youth are out of school but the parents are still working. Proceeds will also help cover camp fees, recreational programming costs, and similar expenses, all to let kids be kids over the summer. Families need the support and provide relief for parents, Dalgleish stated, and CLEC wants youth supported by the non-profit agency to have the same opportunities as all other youth.

“I know how much families count on these supports,” said Dalgleish. 

Dalgleish said the agency is grateful for those who came out to golf, as well as the volunteers and the sponsors. He said the best part is that the tournament helps create summer fun for young people.

“This is really humbling and I appreciate it so much that people want to be part of the Community Living movement,” said Dalgleish.

Janell Violet, CLEC’s manager of community relations and resource development, said there were 33 teams and 130 golfers, slightly above the 2025 Charity Golf Classic.

CLEC manager of community relations and resource development Janell Violet addresses the crowd.

“It was amazing and successful,” she said. “Mother Nature was in our favour.”There was some rain on the course for golfers, but that didn’t stop any of the golfers from enjoying the day. Violet also thanked all of the volunteers and sponsors. She added a lot of staff within CLEC also assisted with the golf tournament.

“People are very happy to support us,” said Violet. “Everything came together really smoothly. “Thank you to our donors, participants, sponsors and volunteers. We couldn’t do what we do without the support.”

CLEC also thanked Sutton Creek Golf Club for hosting the tournament again this year.

A highlight of the tournament was the “Municipal Cup,” with representatives of municipalities vying for the coveted prize. Team LaSalle won this year, with other municipalities represented being Amherstburg, Essex, last year’s champion Lakeshore, Leamington, and the County of Essex.

Proceeds from the tournament were not known as of press time, and will be announced in the coming weeks.

CLEC’s annual Charity Golf Classic raises money for summer supports

By Ron Giofu