Bishop’s Golf Classic supports Catholic schools, teacher development, tuition assistance

It was a picture-perfect day as golfers gathered on Aug. 3 for the 36th annual Bishop’s Golf Classic at Westwood Country Club in Rocky River.

Organized by the Catholic Community Foundation, the sold-out event supports Catholic schools in the Cleveland Diocese by funding professional development for teachers, providing tuition assistance for students in need and equipping classrooms with innovative technology.

“We are here today to celebrate Catholic education in the Diocese of Cleveland,” said Bishop Edward Malesic, who addressed golfers at the end of the day. He told them Catholic schools “are the largest and most important youth ministry within our diocese. With your support today, you are helping to make this gift available to all children.”

The bishop said enrollment continues to grow within the diocesan schools, led by Frank O’Linn, superintendent of schools. He credited the collective efforts of many “who work tirelessly to provide leadership, guidance and support for each of our 108 schools.” He also thanked the golfers for their support of Catholic education.

Bishop Malesic credited CRESCO, which he labeled “a groundbreaking program” that begins this year, with helping to attract and retain quality educators. He said CRESCO, which is Latin for grow, is an acronym for Creating Resources to Empower Schools Compensation Offering. It was developed by the diocese’s Keeping the Faith Strategic Plan to help schools offer more competitive compensation for teachers. The 2025 Alleluia Ball helped launch CRESCO, which will support Catholic elementary schools with the greatest financial need. The diocesanwide Called to Flourish campaign will continue supporting CRESCO.

Hundreds of educators from 34 schools are eligible for CRESCO grants totaling more than $300,000 in the 2026-2027 school year. The funds will help the schools offer competitive compensation packages.

Karen Trunk, principal of Mater Dei Academy in Wickliffe, spoke to the golfers and described her educational career that included 35 years with the Mentor schools “before God led me to the Catholic school world.” After working as a gifted and curriculum specialist at Notre Dame Elementary School in Chardon, she joined Mater Dei in 2023 as principal.

“We strive for excellence in everything,” Trunk said. "CRESCO will help retain teachers at the middle of their careers with more competitive salaries," she added. Trunk said the Fund A Dream program, another education initiative of the Catholic Community Foundation that assists students with financial need by pairing them with donors, has benefited more than 30 Mater Dei students in the past six years. “I can’t thank you enough for your support and for helping to prepare the next generation,” she added.

Four Elyria Catholic High School golf team members assisted at the outing and received $500 Bishop Roger Gries Scholarships, which were sponsored by Joe and Cindy Mauer.

Scholarship winners are senior Dylan Kirsh and juniors Griffin Volney, Sean Howell and Josh Anastasiadis.

Karen Trunk, principal of Mater Dei Academy speaks at the Bishop's Golf Classic.