WASHINGTON HUSKY ATHLETIC legends will return to the North Olympic Peninsula Friday, July 28 for the Seventh Annual Sonny Sixkiller Husky Golf Classic presented by Wilder Auto Center.
Sixkiller leads a strong field of Husky celebrities playing in the event at Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course in Sequim, including dominant offensive and defensive linemen Lincoln Kennedy and Steve Emtman.
A special dinner to honor the celebrities will be held at 7 Cedars Casino in Blyn the night before the event starting at 5 p.m.
A limited number of tickets are available by calling 360-417-7144. Fans are also urged to attend the tournament — scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — free of charge.
Sixkiller was the dynamic quarterback who helped turned around the Husky football program — and led the nation in passing in 1970.
He also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated on Oct. 4, 1971.
“We are delighted to be a part of this tournament — we think it is the premier sporting event on the Peninsula,” said Jerry Allen, the CEO of 7 Cedars Casino. “We have been very fortunate to partner with Sonny for the past 13 years.”
He has lined up a who’s who list of over 30 Husky legends to play in the tournament, including Pac-12 network announcer Lincoln Kennedy, Bob Schloredt, Jason Hamilton, Robin Earl and Steve Emtman.
Also participating will be Robb Weller, who invented the “Wave” as a Husky Yell King and went on to be the host of Entertainment Tonight, and former Port Angeles High School player Scott Jones, the only Roughrider to play in the NFL, that coming after a successful career as a tight end and offensive tackle at Washington.
OMC Foundation benefit
“I’ve always wanted to set up a tournament to showcase the legacy of University of Washington sports, especially football,” said Sixkiller.
“I am extremely pleased to be able to work with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe once again and am happy that it will benefit the Olympic Medical Center Foundation.”
Roy Blount Jr. aptly described Sixkiller as a player in the Sports Illustrated story (available at tinyurl.com/PDN-Sixkiller):
“Another powerful inducement for fans and scribes to go wild over Sixkiller is his style of play. He is a fine looking athlete who whistles the ball and moves fluidly. He is … not much of a runner, but he scrambles and does wild things. His passes tend to be either 15-yard lasers into someone’s stomach or lofted 25-yarders that just clear two defenders’ hands to hit a receiver in full stride down the sidelines.”
The SI article is a window into the world of sports in America nearly 46 years ago, showing how the Native American Sixkiller handled the subtle and not-so-subtle racism directed toward him, as well as his opinion on a turbulent time in the Husky football program.
Clallam Links
The British Open is coming soon, so you know what that means: SkyRidge Golf Course’s annual Clallam Links Open.
This event, played on the only links-style golf course on the North Olympic Peninsula, is set for Sunday, July 23.
Play begins after The British Open crowns its “champion golfer of the year.”
A mulligan stew lunch with all the fixin’s will be served at noon.
A mini-shotgun start will begin play at 1 p.m. on the first and seventh holes.
The entry fee is $50 and includes 18 holes, range balls, KP’s, longest putt and lunch. Power carts are an additional $15 per seat.
Players are encouraged to form their own foursomes, but SkyRidge can place singles on teams.
A potential payout of $1,000 exists based on a full amateur field.
SkyRidge said 30 percent of the field will get paid in each division.
To get in on the game, phone SkyRidge at 360-683-3673.
Discovery Bay info
Jean Gifford notched a hole-in-one on the back nine at Discovery Bay Golf Club last Friday, July 7.
Gifford aced the 14th hole with an 8-iron from 101 yards out.
Congrats, Jean!
Discovery Bay head pro Jeff Kent said he’s “been getting a great response for our Tuesday weekly clinics.”
Those clinics are $10 and last about an hour.
Kent focuses on a different fundamental skill and also offers individual help on what golfers are interested in improving.
Space is limited for these clinics, so sign up by calling 360-385-0704.
The club’s weekly special is 18 holes for two players with cart for $79 and tax.
Dove House benefit
The sixth annual Dove House Golf Benefit sponsored by Bluebills will be held at Port Ludlow Golf Course on Friday, Aug. 18.
A noon shotgun start will open the tournament, followed by an awards ceremony and appetizers at the Port Ludlow Bay Club.
The entry fee for the public is $100, while Port Ludlow members are $55. The fee includes use of a golf cart, range balls, lunch, the award ceremony and a chance to win raffle baskets and bid on silent auction items.
Dove House Advocacy Services provides confidential crisis intervention and advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and general crime.
The Bluebills are an all-volunteer service organization serving Jefferson, Clallam and Kitsap counties.
For more information, phone Barbara Berthiaume at 360-437-0423 or Myron Vogt at 360-437-4055. Golfers also can call the pro shop at 360-437-0272 to sign up to play.
The deadline to enter is Thursday, Aug. 10.
