Golfing for a cause
Lake County district court judge Deborah Kim Christopher looks on as Carroll College athletic director Bruce Parker stands next to sports commentator Mick Hollien waiting for the highest bidding team to join.
POLSON — The sun was shining as golfers took their clubs to the greens for a special cause last weekend. Twenty-eight teams of four and 12 celebrities turned out to support the Court Appointed Special Advocates fundraiser at the Polson Bay Golf Course on Saturday.
Before the fundraiser began, the honorable Judge Deborah King Christopher thanked the teams for coming in support of such a worthy cause. Soon after, a bidding war between teams ensued as celebrities were auctioned off at the Third Annual Mick Holien CASA Golf Scramble, sponsored by Jeff Andrews.
Amateur tournament organizer Matt Olson played the role of jovial auctioneer before taking to the course, gaining more funds for Lake County CASA. The money raised at the event is used for recruiting CASA volunteers and covers their training.
“It’s the kids, that’s what it’s all about,” said title sponsor Jeff Andrews of State Farm Insurance, who played with Polson Bay Golf professional Cameron Milton after bidding $300.
Voice of the Griz sports broadcaster Mick Holien has been an independent advocate with CASA for four years and said volunteers within the organization must receive a minimum of 60 hours of training before taking on cases.
“We are entitled to see things the average person can’t,” Holien said. “We give children an independent voice and make recommendations to the judge.”
Former Cleveland Browns offensive right tackle and All-American Griz player Barry Darrow, signed autographs at the event. Doug Betters, former Miami Dolphins all-pro also signed autographs.
“I just wish there were more volunteers,” Darrow said, adding that one of his good friends is an advocate for CASA.
When CASA grew in Lake County 13 years ago, Bernie Lovell was the first in line to help needy children. Before becoming involved in CASA she began working as a Guardian Ad Litem in 1985. Lovell has been around long enough to see four county attorneys and two judges retire.
“I’ve seen it all,” she said. “I believe in helping the kids, they are my main concern.”
Just last week Lovell bumped into a woman she helped more than 23 years ago. She remembered Lovell and thanked her for the help no one else could give her at such a young and helpless age.
“I believe every kid should have a chance, and I believe in this program very strongly,” she said.
More than $14,000 was raised from the fundraiser, with the help of athletic directors, golf professionals and former Grizzly players doing their part.
University of Montana head basketball coach Wayne Tinkle brought $525 to Lake County CASA, the highest bid of the day. PGA American board of directors member and director of golf at Polson Bay Golf Course, Roger Wallace, was auctioned for $500. Other names on the auction block included: KPAX sports director Phil Buck, UM executive vice president Jim Foley, former Jets tight end and now Carroll College coach Rocky Klever, UM director of athletics Jim O’Day, and Carroll College athletics director and National Athletic Directors Association president Bruce Parker, among others.
A few celebrities and sports figures were given special golfing privileges, such as Wallace putting twice and Carroll College head golf coach Ben MacIntyre hitting from the red tees on Par 5’s — bidders raised their antes in the hopes of gaining a team asset, and CASA took home the kitty.
Holien auctioned two tickets to any UM game, and an all-inclusive day with the Griz team including behind-the-scenes access to the pre-game show, football field and players. Golfer William Kraude outbid Wallace for the package, purchasing it for $825 — all funds going to CASA.
“I’ve always wanted to do something like that,” Kraude said, adding that he plans on taking his son, a graduate from UM, with him.
Golf balls smacked by the clubs of celebrities and local businessmen and women kept the points low. First place team Polson Bay Grocery, coach MacIntyre’s team, seemed to have an edge over the others.
“They don’t need pointers. They’re good,” MacIntyre said of his teammates.
The Polson Bay Grocery team had an adjusted callaway score of 52, while the teams of Polson Bay Golf professional Cameron Milton of the Jeff Andrews State Farm Insurance team took second with a score of 55. Third place went to Missoula Youth Court, with an impressive — non celebrity game — score of 56.25. Vinny’s Angels, the team Wallace played for, tied for fourth with the Rug Rat Ranch and Investment Centers of America teams.
For photos of the amateur tournament/fundraiser visit www.leaderadvertiser.com. For more with CASA, call Diane Richard at 883-0158 or e-mail dianer@cskt.org.