HAF
07-24-2006, 01:27 PM
Olie and Stu hold Bash this weekend
This story was published Sunday, July 23rd, 2006
By Annie Fowler, Herald staff writer
When Olie Kolzig and Stu Barnes reach out to their friends for a worthwhile cause, the response is overwhelming.
The two NHL players and owners of the Tri-City Americans will play host to the fifth annual Olie and Stu's Desert Bash on today and Monday at Meadow Springs Country Club.
The event, which will feature a dinner and auction tonight, will benefit the Carson Kolzig Foundation, which will donate funds to the Children's Developmental Center and help sponsor an autism conference Aug. 3-4 at Kadlec Medical Center.
The Carson Kolzig Foundation will be offering financial assistance to those who would like to attend the conference but cannot afford it. Interested parties can contact Kadlec for more information.
"It gives me goose bumps just thinking about the overwhelming support this community gives," said Christin Kolzig, whose son Carson, 5, is autistic. "Without it, the Carson Kolzig Foundation would not be able to help families in the Tri-Cities."
Christin Kolzig said the Carson Kolzig Foundation would like to be able to mirror the concept of Children's Village in Yakima, which benefits special needs children, not just those with autism.
"It is very needed here," she said.
Monday's tournament field has been full for more than a month. Each four-player team will be matched with a celebrity player.
On the celebrity list are former San Francisco Giants outfielder Marvin Benard, former Washington Redskins lineman Ed Simmons, former NHL left wing Jaroslav Svejkovsky, and Kolzig and Barnes.
"I haven't played at all," Barnes admitted. "I'm going to have to sneak in a few rounds. I'd have a tough time beating my 6-year-old (Jack) right now."
Making his first appearance at the Bash will be 1992 Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien of the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins reunion gets a little bigger with former tight end Clint Didier joining the group.
Also playing will be Gail Cogdill the 1960 NFL Rookie of the Year; Ricky Churchman (San Francisco 49ers); NHL referee Dan O'Rourke; Bob Gross (1976-77 Trail Blazers NBA championship team); former NHL goalie Byron Dafoe and Logan Stephenson (Phoenix Coyotes).
The Tri-City Americans will offer up four golfers with coach Don Nachbaur, general manager Bob Tory, and forward Alex Aldred and goalie Chet Pickard.
From the golf ranks, MSCC pro Chris Peterson will play, as will Scott Johnson (2001 U.S. Open) and former golf pro Chris Johnson.
The tournament also has sponsors who have pledged up to $15,000, which could help the event raise more than last year's total of $140,000.
"We have been very, very fortunate. We have had great support from the community," said Barnes, who has one year left on his contract with the Dallas Stars. "There is a lot of hard work that goes into this, and Olie and Christin have put in a lot of time."
Kolzig, the starting goalie for the Washington Capitals since 1997, recently was awarded the NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his leadership and humanitarian contributions to his community.
Kolzig was instrumental in starting Athletes Against Austism, an initiative of the Cure Autism Now Foundation, the largest private funder of autism research in the country.
The Carson Kolzig Foundation has been raising funds to reach its goal of building an autism center in the Tri-Cities, the Kolzigs' off-season home.
A good portion of the money raised comes from the live and silent auction items donated by community sponsors, ranging from businesses to private citizens.
Lori and Don Watts have been ardent supporters of the event from the start.
"I'm a firm believer in supporting the community and I think it's incredible that we have Olie and Stu and what they have put back into the community," Lori Watts said. "Their cause is great. It's nice that they bring awareness to autism."
This story was published Sunday, July 23rd, 2006
By Annie Fowler, Herald staff writer
When Olie Kolzig and Stu Barnes reach out to their friends for a worthwhile cause, the response is overwhelming.
The two NHL players and owners of the Tri-City Americans will play host to the fifth annual Olie and Stu's Desert Bash on today and Monday at Meadow Springs Country Club.
The event, which will feature a dinner and auction tonight, will benefit the Carson Kolzig Foundation, which will donate funds to the Children's Developmental Center and help sponsor an autism conference Aug. 3-4 at Kadlec Medical Center.
The Carson Kolzig Foundation will be offering financial assistance to those who would like to attend the conference but cannot afford it. Interested parties can contact Kadlec for more information.
"It gives me goose bumps just thinking about the overwhelming support this community gives," said Christin Kolzig, whose son Carson, 5, is autistic. "Without it, the Carson Kolzig Foundation would not be able to help families in the Tri-Cities."
Christin Kolzig said the Carson Kolzig Foundation would like to be able to mirror the concept of Children's Village in Yakima, which benefits special needs children, not just those with autism.
"It is very needed here," she said.
Monday's tournament field has been full for more than a month. Each four-player team will be matched with a celebrity player.
On the celebrity list are former San Francisco Giants outfielder Marvin Benard, former Washington Redskins lineman Ed Simmons, former NHL left wing Jaroslav Svejkovsky, and Kolzig and Barnes.
"I haven't played at all," Barnes admitted. "I'm going to have to sneak in a few rounds. I'd have a tough time beating my 6-year-old (Jack) right now."
Making his first appearance at the Bash will be 1992 Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien of the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins reunion gets a little bigger with former tight end Clint Didier joining the group.
Also playing will be Gail Cogdill the 1960 NFL Rookie of the Year; Ricky Churchman (San Francisco 49ers); NHL referee Dan O'Rourke; Bob Gross (1976-77 Trail Blazers NBA championship team); former NHL goalie Byron Dafoe and Logan Stephenson (Phoenix Coyotes).
The Tri-City Americans will offer up four golfers with coach Don Nachbaur, general manager Bob Tory, and forward Alex Aldred and goalie Chet Pickard.
From the golf ranks, MSCC pro Chris Peterson will play, as will Scott Johnson (2001 U.S. Open) and former golf pro Chris Johnson.
The tournament also has sponsors who have pledged up to $15,000, which could help the event raise more than last year's total of $140,000.
"We have been very, very fortunate. We have had great support from the community," said Barnes, who has one year left on his contract with the Dallas Stars. "There is a lot of hard work that goes into this, and Olie and Christin have put in a lot of time."
Kolzig, the starting goalie for the Washington Capitals since 1997, recently was awarded the NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his leadership and humanitarian contributions to his community.
Kolzig was instrumental in starting Athletes Against Austism, an initiative of the Cure Autism Now Foundation, the largest private funder of autism research in the country.
The Carson Kolzig Foundation has been raising funds to reach its goal of building an autism center in the Tri-Cities, the Kolzigs' off-season home.
A good portion of the money raised comes from the live and silent auction items donated by community sponsors, ranging from businesses to private citizens.
Lori and Don Watts have been ardent supporters of the event from the start.
"I'm a firm believer in supporting the community and I think it's incredible that we have Olie and Stu and what they have put back into the community," Lori Watts said. "Their cause is great. It's nice that they bring awareness to autism."