Hitting the sweet spot: $1.8M raised at CLV Group/InterRent golf tournament

It was one of those unforgettable moments, watching organizers of the Mike McCann Charity Golf Tournament flip the oversized ceremonial cheque for everyone to see, revealing the grand total raised: $1,802,000. There was pure joy, excitement, disbelief and pride, knowing the record-breaking sum from the one-day fundraiser would have a huge impact on a cross-section of local charities. The sold-out event, hosted by CLV Group and InterRent, returned Thursday to The Meadows Golf and Country Club on Hawthorne Road. It’s grown so big in recent years, with more than 450 golfers, that some of the participants are driven, via chartered buses, to the Anderson Links.

Award-winning business leader and philanthropist Mike McGahan, who’s the CEO of CLV Group and executive chairman of InterRent, delivered his heartfelt thanks to his “amazing” team for all its hard work and to everyone who supported the event. “You’re the ones who make this happen,” he told the entire room. All the funds raised will help such organizations as the Ottawa Food Bank, BGC Ottawa, Christie Lake Kids, Youth Services Bureau, Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, The Royal, The Snowsuit Fund, Ottawa Humane Society and Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation. McGahan wasn't sure if the 24th annual tournament would be able to surpass last year’s remarkable total of $1.6 million. “Everyone dug down really hard and we appreciate it,” said McGahan, who was joined by many of his top executives, including Oz Drewniak, Brad Cutsey, Curt Millar and Amanda Gordon,  as well as Paul Bouzanis from PBC Group, which is a subsidiary of CLV Group. McGahan is also one of the minority owners of the Ottawa Senators hockey club. Alumni players Chris Phillips, Jason York and Shaun Van Allen participated that day. Other minority owners spotted in the crowd included Ronald Richardson and Nav Aggarwal.

The Mike McCann Charity Golf Tournament is considered by many to be the top charity golf tournament, not only for the seven-figure amount that it consistently hauls in but also for the unique experience it offers. “It’s phenomenal,” said Tim Kluke, president and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.  McGahan is on the hospital’s foundation board and its campaign executive for its historic Campaign to Create Tomorrow. He's also a lead donor.  “We’re thrilled to be part of the tournament,” said Kluke appreciatively. Also grateful to be a beneficiary that night was BGC Ottawa. “It’s overwhelming, really, to see the love and impact that CLV has for our community, and what they do every day to help,” BGC Ottawa CEO Adam Joiner told OBJ.social. “It’s not just this one golf tournament,” he said of the long-standing support his organization has received from CLV Group/InterRent, whether through donations or volunteer efforts.  “It’s true and authentic care that continues throughout the year.” The tournament always features a guest speaker from one of the beneficiary charities. This year, the crowd heard from Julia Bland about the cognitive behavioural therapy she received at The Royal. It helped her better manage her anxiety and depression during her late teenage years, into early adulthood. The stories shared left Marci Surkes, chief strategy officer of event sponsor Compass Rose Group, deeply moved. "The most poignant part of the day was hearing directly from the local charities who benefit so profoundly from this tournament," she told OBJ.social later. "There was no doubt of the scale and impact it makes in their work — day in and day out – for young people across the region who need the support."

Organizers brought in food trucks, set up massive party tents, hired a live band and recruited professional auctioneer Ryan E. Watson from Raising the Bid to emcee the evening program and sell off some exceptional items. There were fine dining experiences, trips, sporting events and concerts — including two primo tickets to Taylor Swift’s Nov. 14 concert in Toronto. They sold for $15,000 to Tony Reale, head of Canadian real estate investment banking at BMO Capital Markets. It was the top sponsor, followed by Scotiabank. Later in the evening, Reale was seen sharing the good news over the phone with his 24-year-old daughter, who’s presumably going to the concert. Another big item was a trip for two to Las Vegas that was jam packed with sports and music. There were tickets to an Ottawa Senators game (or Leafs game for bidders from Toronto), CFL game and a Lenny Kravtiz or Adele concert while in Sin City. Again, Reale was a top bidder, but because Charles Saikaley of Saickley Enterprises was also keen to buy the package, organizers sold the trip to them both, at $15,000 each, raising a total of $30,000. Also donated was the full box experience to an Ottawa Senators game, enjoyed with VIP members from the hockey club. It sold for $6,500 to Karsh Singh, president of Soubliére Constructors. As well, there was a 50/50 raffle that featured a cash prize of $9,000.

The tournament’s success is a testament to the power of team work. At one time, the fundraiser was largely led by one man — Mike McCann. He was very close friends with McGahan (sharing an uncannily similar name, even).  Following McCann’s passing from cancer in 2019, the tournament was renamed in his honor, with a larger group of employees from CLV Group and InterRent stepping up to share the organizing responsibilities. To date, the golf tournament has raised nearly $10 million. McCann’s wife, Gloria McCann, attends the dinner every year, usually joined by all three of her daughters, Ashley, Jordanna and Alexandra, and their spouses. That the tournament is consistently blessed with sunshine and warm weather helps Gloria to feel her husband’s presence, she said. “He’s looking down on us, smiling.” As the evening program wrapped up and the band took to the stage, McGahan reminded everyone they could help get them home safely. “We want you to come back next year,” he said of their 25th annual tournament slated for, coincidentally, Sept. 25, 2025.