Randy Johnson, you’ve retired from baseball after 22 years and you’ve got a choice to make: Spend summer with the family. Or golf in the Islanders Bank San Juan Island Celebrity Golf Classic.
Johnson chose family. Who can argue with that?
Johnson was the keep-your-fingers-crossed choice to headline at this year’s classic, but he e-mailed organizer Pat O’Day that after 22 seasons away, he owes his wife and four children some family time. “The good news is, if you inform me well in advance I’ll put it on my schedule next year,” he wrote.
But the classic, Friday and Saturday, still features a lineup of autograph-worthy celebrities from music, radio and sports. (And don’t forget the salmon dinner. And the live and silent auctions. And the fact that every dollar you spend will help an island non-profit. The event annually raises about $40,000.)
Islanders Bank is the new corporate sponsor, succeeding Kenmore Air Express (Kenmore sponsored for one year; Wells Fargo Bank sponsored the preceding four years). The names of winners of this year’s tournament will be engraved on the new Islanders Bank John Linde Trophy, a memorial to the late Superior Court judge and avid golfer.
The golf classic begins Friday, 4 p.m., with a horse race, followed by a meet-the-celebrities party at Haley’s, sponsored by CenturyLink. The classic continues Saturday with the first tee time at 7 a.m. Winners will be announced at 5:30 p.m. The auction, salmon dinner and sponsor appreciation begins at 6 p.m. Celebrity photos may be taken all day.
Here’s who’s coming.
From music: Alan White, drummer for Yes; Spike O’Neil, of the rock band Spike And The Impalers; Eddie Jackson, bass guitarist for the progressive metal band, Queensrÿche; and Michael Wilton, guitarist for Queensrÿche.
From radio: Syndicated host Delilah, and DJs Jeff “The Fish” Aaron, Mike Gastineau, Dave Grosby, Don O’Neil, Bob Rivers and Ron Upshaw.
From sports: Cam Cleland, former Husky and St. Louis Rams end; Chris Chandler, former Husky and Atlanta Falcons quarterback; Ryan Leaf, Heisman finalist and former NFL quarterback; Lisa Moretti, three-time WWF world champion wrestler; Brian Perkins, Unlimited Hydroplane driver; Kaylie Perkins, national champion hydroplane driver; Steve Raible, former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, now voice of The Seahawks and KIRO-TV news anchor; Sonny Sixkiller, former passing leader for the Huskies and later the Washington Redskins; and Rusty Tillman, Seattle Seahawks special teams coach.
Other personalities: Nancy Fiala, regionally famous glass artist and sculptor; Warren Miller, world-renowned ski film producer; Jim Moore, sports writer for SeattlePI.com. Three Seattle SeaGals also join the field: Heidi Isaacson, Lindsay Moen and Georgia Schoonover.
To golf in the classic, sign up at San Juan Golf and Country Club or on www.SJCelebGolf.com. Salmon dinner tickets are available from the event’s 11 beneficiaries and from Becki Day, 378-9519/298-0458.
The beneficiaries are Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor, Band Family & Friends, Boy Scout Troop 90, Compass Health, Family Resource Center, Lighthouse Preschool, Mullis Community Senior Center, Purple and Gold, San Juan Historical Museum, Spring Street International School, and Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Service.
At the classic, new sponsor Islanders Bank will unveil the new Islanders Bank John Linde Trophy. The winners’ names will be engraved on the trophy, which will be permanently displayed at the bank’s Friday Harbor branch.
The trophy honors the late Superior Court judge, an avid golfer who played in the annual classic and served on the San Juan Golf and Country Club board. “He was a pivotal part of our community for so long. His significance is beyond question,” O’Day said.
