Mental health cause attracts celebrity roster
Break out the golf clubs and roll out the red carpet.
Organizers of the third Courtnall Celebrity Classic, which includes play at Victoria Golf Club in Oak Bay, hope to raise $4 million toward mental health care equipment for the Royal Jubilee Hospital’s new patient care centre.
Geoff and Russ Courtnall, both former NHLers, and youngest brother Bruce have a legacy of helping. The trio funded RJH’s Archie Courtnall Centre for emergency psychiatric care, named for their father who committed suicide in 1978 – with proceeds from the 2003 and 2004 Classics.
Confirmed so far for this year’s festivities, set for July 22 to 24, are TV star Pamela Anderson, Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean, golf pro Ian Leggatt and musician Don Felder of The Eagles. Other celebs’ participation will be confirmed soon.
“Residents of Victoria just might, for one weekend, think they’ve arrived on a Hollywood movie set,” Bruce said.
The weekend will feature red-carpet arrivals at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, a gala dinner at Victoria Conference Centre and a dance party. For details, visit www.courtnallclassic.org.
emccracken@vicnews.com
