Larry Robinson to support annual Gord Brown Memorial Golf Tournament
The annual Gord Brown Memorial Golf Tournament will take place this August at Smuggler’s Glen Golf Course. This year, NHL Hockey Hall of Fame member, Larry Robinson, will join the YMCA of Eastern Ontario and the United Way of Leeds and Grenville at the local fundraiser.
According to a release from the YMCA, hockey legend Larry Robinson is considered the best Montreal Canadiens’ defenceman ever, and has won 10 Stanley Cups: six as a player, three as a coach, and one in his current role as Senior Consultant to Hockey Operations with the St. Louis Blues. Nicknamed Big Bird for his size – Robinson stands 6’4” – he has won two Norris Trophies and was a first- or second-team all-star six times. His first Norris Trophy was awarded in the 1976-77 season, which he finished with 19 goals and 85 points.
The following season, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ most valuable player. In 1980, Robinson won his second Norris Trophy, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995. And one of Robinson’s first steps in his prolific career happened locally; Robinson played Junior A hockey in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) with the Brockville Braves!
The United Way of Leeds and Grenville and the YMCA of Eastern Ontario are collaborating on the event, which will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, and all money raised will go directly into programs offered locally, ensuring that local communities continue to receive support and programming provided by both charities.
“We are thrilled that Larry has chosen to support this event and our community,” stated Rob Adams, CEO of the YMCA of Eastern Ontario. “It speaks to his commitment to charitable work, as well as his understanding of community need. Larry is known for raising money for good causes and I think his support for social and health-based programs demonstrates just how important these are.”
The late MP Gord Brown’s family is extremely happy to support this year’s golf tournament and is proud to continue Gord’s legacy of giving back to our community. Participating in or sponsoring this event is a way to make Gord’s vision possible, organizers expressed.
The tournament will attract golfers of all levels who are looking to support a worthy cause and enjoy a beautiful course, according to the release.
“We are extremely excited and proud to have one of Canada’s hockey legends join us for this important event for our community,” said Trish Buote, United Way of Leeds and Grenville Executive Director. “Larry has done so many things to support local charities in our area. We can’t thank him enough for joining us and helping us raise funds for those most in need.”
The YMCA said that space is filling up fast. To register a team online visit: http://united-way-leeds-grenville.square.site/ Those who would rather register a team offline, sponsor the event, or have questions are asked to contact Christine Radford at [email protected] or by phone, 613-342-8889.
More information on the Gord Brown Memorial Golf Tournament can be found on the YMCA’s website.