The grass is green. The course is groomed. The celebrities are on their way. And the long-range weather forecast could not be any more encouraging.
Not that that’s necessary, since San Juan Island’s Pat O’Day, now in his 9th year as chairman of the island’s longest-running charitable event, appears to have the Midas touch in the weather department.
“We’ve never had a drop of rain in my nine years as chairman,” O’Day says with a grin.
Still, there’s plenty of sunshine in store — temperatures are expected to sneak into the 70’s and the forecast calls for more sun than clouds — as San Juan Golf and Country Club hosts the 27th annual San Juan Celebrity Golf Classic, May 31 and June 1.
Proceeds from the celebrity golf classic, sponsored by Islanders Bank, will provide a financial boost for nine different island non-profits, including Relay For Life, the San Juan Island Family Resource Center, Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and the Friday Harbor High School Band.
Familiar faces will top the celebrity ranks again this year. Back for another round are hydroplane racer Kayleigh Perkins Mallory, her hydroplane racing brother, Brian Perkins, legendary U of W Husky quarterback Sonny Sixkiller, drummer Allan White of the rock band Yes, sportswriters Percy Allen and Jim Moore, former Seattle Seahawks Joe Tofoya and Craig Terril, San Juan Island’s own Lisa Morretti, a former professional wrestler, a double dose of Seahawks Seagals, and enough DJ’s, sports talk-show hosts and radio personalities to field a football team.
And, should anything run amiss, this year’s celebrity lineup also features the indomitable Jesse Jones of King 5 News, of “Get Jesse” fame. Jones’ King 5 colleague Meeghan Black will also be making an inaugural appearance. Don’t forget about the mid-course party tent, featuring fresh succulent oysters, beverages and more.
In addition to Yes drummer Allan White, a perennial classic competitor, music industry celebs include Seattle’s Merrilee Rush (“Angel of the Morning”) and husband, renowned piano playing husband Billy Mac.
Members of the winning foursome will have their names engraved on the classic’s John Linde Memorial Trophy and plaque at Islanders Bank. (The late judge Linde, San Juan County’s first-ever elected superior court judge, competed regularly at the classic and was one of its most steadfast supporters).
But wait, there’s more. After the crowning of the winning team, or, perhaps earlier — let’s “Get Jesse” on that one —the entertainment just keeps rolling along.
The event features a silent and a live auction, a traditional salmon barbecue dinner — about 400 pounds of Alaskan salmon prepared by longtime barbecue master John Vejvoda, and crew — and an evening of music performed by the high school band while dinner is served. Featured auction items are: a 12th Man Jersey signed by the Seahawks, including Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, a “huge” painting valued $1,500 (it’s on display at Islanders Bank), two round-trips tickets, compliments of Alaska Airlines, to an oceanside condominium in Puerto Vallarta, 30 steps from the pro shop of a Jack Nicholas golf course, and much, much more
Saturday night’s live auction will get under way under the big tent at 5 p.m., the salmon dinner begins at 6 p.m. Dinner tickets are $25; contact Becki Day, 360 298-0458, to order dinner tickets or to sign up to play.
