QUEENS, N.Y. - After a four-year hiatus, the Doc Gimmler Golf Classic returned in fine fashion on Monday at the exclusive Deepdale Country Club. More than 70 supporters, fans and friends of St. John's Athletics attended the major fundraising event, which benefits all Red Storm varsity athletic programs.

"This event served to both honor a man who contributed so much to the legacy of St. John's University athletics, while also raising needed funds to allow our current student-athletes to have the most comprehensive and competitive experiences as possible," said Chris Monasch, St. John's Director of Athletics.

Richard Chapdelaine sponsored the event's taking place at the exclusive Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y. Deepdale is considered one of the most prestigious courses in the area, and has been cited by several golf publications as one of the Top 25 Courses in America.

Following the day's round of golf, dinner and an awards presentation took place at the Deepdale Clubhouse. A special presentation was made to Rosemarie Gimmler, wife of the late John "Doc" Gimmler, the legendary STJ golf coach and administrator for whom the event is named.

A live auction took place before dinner where dedicated Red Storm fans were able to bid on special experiential items: two tickets and a place on the team charter for the men's basketball game vs. Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in February; a spot on the bench as the honorary assistant coach against Georgetown in January at Madison Square Garden; a Madison Square Garden suite for 20 people and 12 tickets to the Red Storm matchup vs. Pittsburgh in January; two tickets and a place on the team charter for the men's basketball game vs. Notre Dame at the Joyce Center in March; and a foursome at Deepdale Golf Club for a later date.

Gimmler, the event's namesake, is a legendary golf coach and administrator whose career in St. John's Athletics spanned more than four decades. With Gimmler at the helm as coach, the STJ golf team won nine BIG EAST Championships, 10 Metropolitan championships and made five NCAA Tournament appearances. Gimmler was a 1949 University grad and varsity baseball player that participated in the first College World Series (1949) before stints as head golf coach, head athletic trainer and associate director of athletics. He passed away in 1996.