Ed Jovanovski Golf Classic returns to Pointe West Golf Club

By Ron Giofu

Golfers hit the links last Friday for three charitable causes with the tournament expected to raise some big bucks.

The fifth annual Ed Jovanovski Golf Classic was held at Pointe West Golf Club in Amherstburg with the retired NHL defenseman on hand along with a sold out field of golfers to enjoy the day. Proceeds will go to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation for its breast cancer research, the Hospice of Windsor-Essex County and the Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex County.

The goal was $150,000, with $50,000 going to each of the three charitable organizations.

“It’s great, what a beautiful morning,” said Jovanovski. “The tournament continues on. We’ve had a great response from the community.”

Jovanovski said the golf tournament will continue as long as it has community support.

The Alzheimer’s Society of Windsor is a cause that hits “close to home” for the family. His father Kostadin “Joe” Jovanovski had the disease before he passed away in 2022. He said the Hospice of Windsor-Essex County was another important cause, noting the family had a good experience with them as they saw the care the Hospice provides for loved ones.

“We felt it was a good opportunity to include them into our charities,” he said.

Breast cancer continues to be an important cause for the family. Jovanovski’s mother had Stage 2 breast cancer so the family uses the tournament to raise money in the fight against that disease as well.

Jovanovski was thankful to all who came together to raise money “to three great causes.” A committee of about eight people take care of organizational efforts in this area with Jovanovski stating he rallies friends and supporters in Florida to help out and come up for the tournament. His friends in Florida are always willing to help out, he added.

“This could not happen without all

Chatham Sports Hall of Fame inducting person with local ties

By RTT Staff

The Chatham Sports Hall of Fame named its latest round of inductees with one of them having ties to Amherstburg.

This year’s list of incoming hall of famers includes Bruno Casanova, who will be inducted into the builder category for his contributions for baseball.

It was noted that Casanova played baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system from 1948-50 and then went into inter-county baseball in the early 1950’s. He was also a supervisor for the Chatham Minor Baseball Association in the late 1950’s into the 1960’s.

Casanova’s contributions in Amherstburg included his time as the manager of the now former AMA Arena. Casanova served as the first arena manager in town, coming on board in 1970. He lasted over 20 years in the position before health issues caused him to retire. He was well regarded in the position, so much so that the entrance roadway to the Libro Centre is named “Bruno Casanova Way.” There is also a plaque on a stone just outside the entrance to the current arena.

Casanova passed away Sept. 20, 1993.

Other athletes being inducted into the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame this year include sledge hockey payer Derek Whitson in the modern category, hockey player Al Hinnegan in the legend category and the 1998-99 major atom “AAA” Cyclones team.

of the volunteers who helped out,” said Jovanovski. “The committee played a huge part.”

Most people have either experienced illness themselves or in their families, he added, and that people are willing to give back due to the illnesses and ailments having touched their own families.

Scott Elliott, a member of the organizing committee, said there was a total of 144 golfers this year. With 2023 being the fifth anniversary of the golf tournament, they had another event this year with that being a gala at Caesars

Windsor last Thursday night.

Elliott added they had the help from event planner Mara Derikx this year in planning this year’s events.

Jovanovski, a Windsor native, played for 18 seasons in the NHL. He started and finished his NHL career with the Florida Panthers with stops in Vancouver and Phoenix along the way. He played 1,128 NHL games with 137 goals, 363 assists for 500 points and 1,491 penalty minutes. His NHL career followed two seasons with his hometown Windsor Spitfires. He was selected first overall in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

Ribbon cuttings

Members of town council were busy with ribbon cuttings last week. There were three ribbon cuttings last Monday alone including the grand opening of the new Society Shoppe, operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (above) and CKBG 107.9 radio station (right). The opening of the Amherstburg dog park also occurred last Monday (July 3) with that being reported on in last week’s edition of the River Town Times.