CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Golfers tee-off for local Special Olympics program

The Hermiston Herald - 8/17/2017

The Desert Lanes team of Chad Owens, Mike Postlewart, Doug Larsen and Nikki Postlewart took top honors in the Hermiston/Pendleton Special Olympics Fundraising Golf Tournament, held Aug. 12 at Echo Hills Gold Course.

The foursome scored a 55 edging out the 3 Officers and a Gentleman team of Raymond Hocker, Dick Baker, Carlos Torres and Tye Stewart. In its 12th year, the tournament drew 55 golfers and raised $6,500 for the local Special Olympics program.

Special Olympics training and competition must be provided at no cost to the athletes. The policy requires the local program to raise enough money to support athletes in the specialized year-round sporting program, said Kristi Smalley, event chairwoman.

“Once more, the community indicated their sincere love of Special Olympics and confirmed their support of the athletes with generous donations of time, talent and open wallets,” she said.

Part of the success of this year’s event, Smalley said, was due to the Gold Medal Sponsors, who each contributed $500 to the tournament. They included, Umatilla Electric Cooperative, Knights of Columbus Council #3999, Rogers Toyota of Hermiston, A & A Mini Storage (in-kind donation) and new this year, Jim Purswell’s Pumps Co, Inc. Also new to the tournament, contributing $250, was the Hermiston Kiwanis Club. Silver Medal Special Event Sponsors contributing $100 each included, Inland Pool and Spa Centre, Schroth Financial Services, Parkins Door Co., RDO Equipment, Morfeld Corp., Inc. and Burns Mortuary of Hermiston. Bronze Medal $50 Hole Sponsors were: Hermiston Drug & Gift, Gary Culp Machine, R & R Sports Trophies, Barak & Associates, O So Kleen, Northwest Livestock Commission, LLC, Walker Wells Financial Advising, Eastside Market, Lifetime Vision Source, Fence Tite Rite, and Horace Mann Insurance. In addition to businesses, several individuals indicated their support for the local program as hole sponsors: Wyatt Harris/Second Chance, Mary Bousquet, Doris Boatright, Lesa Bunton and Vicki Edmundson. Sponsors for the water stations were local athletes, Jillian Smalley and Mary Jones.

A highlight of the event, Smalley said, is always the hamburger lunch sponsored by Tom Huxol/Cascade Automotive and served by representatives of the Knight of Columbus, Council #3999 Jim Purswell, Charlie Clupny and Dale Ternes assisted by long-time bowling coach, Doris Boatright.

Due to the overwhelming response of the following local businesses, all participants received a door prize: Club 24 Express Fitness, Crazy Mike’s Video, Neighbor Dudes, NW Farm Supply, American Printing, Desert Lanes, Hagerman Trucking, Midway Tavern, Ye Olde Pizza Shoppe, Hales Restaurant, and Randy’s Pro Shop. Contributing to the special event prizes were: Obies, Smitty’s Ace Hardware, Deanna Plum/Tastefully Simple, and Eastern Oregon Mobile Slaughter. Wine provided by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates was awarded to the first through third place teams along with winners for closest to the pin, longest drive and longest putt.

For more information about the local special Olympics program, call Kristi Smalley at 541-571-0997.