By Pat Krause

Pro Hockey great Grant Fuhr, Hall of Fame honoree, held his 1st Annual Celebrity golf tournament. The event had to be postponed several times as California has continued to be on lockdown. California finally opened up enough to be able to hold the tournament. This tournament is a fundraiser for the Hazelden Betty Ford Center for alcoholism and drug addiction. Fuhr, whose own recovery from substance abuse, uses his time and talent to advance advocacy for others who need help. Over 57,000 people die from addictions. Thousands have been helped at the Hazelden Betty Ford Center. The Center has been noted as the Top addiction facility in California. The Hazelden Betty Ford Center is the nation's most extensive nonprofit system of Addiction treatment and co-occurring mental health care, preventative and educational services.

The golf tournament was held at the Desert Dunes Golf course in Desert Hot Springs thanks to the owner, Michael Chiappetta, donated the course for the tournament. There was a pairings party on April 16th, the night before the game. Food was served in the outdoor patio area, with the golf course as a beautiful backdrop. Tables were set up, and a buffet dinner was served. There were several bar stations, so there little wait time for a refreshment.

This gave golfers and guests time to look over the massive silent auction. Two very talented singers provided entertainment. They kept the guests and golfers in a good mood with great music and beautiful voices with their songs. This was the time for introductions where the vice president of the Hazelden Betty Ford Center, Dr. Chris Yadron, introduced Susan Ford Bales, the daughter of President Ford and Betty Ford. First Lady Betty Ford started the Betty Ford Center in 1982. Grant Fuhr was presented to thank all the celebrities and golfers attending. 

A golf tournament like this has to have dedicated golfers willing to pay to play to help these charity tournaments. Celebrities are also very dedicated to giving their time to play in these celebrity tournaments that raise lots of money. There was a live auction hosted by the well-known actor John O'Hurley; he is well known as Mr. Peterman in the TV series,

Seinfeld. He did a fantastic job making a fun time for the bidders. One of the items was a painting of Wayne Gretzky where the winning bidder also will be playing Golf with Gretzky and will meet him when they pick up the painting that sold for $8,000. One of the highest bid items was a round of golf for 2 groups. Rob Reifechneider and Mary Woodward bid $35,000 to play golf with the many Hall of Famers of several sports. A real once-in-a-lifetime event. 

Some celebrity players and well-known sports figures included Jim McMahon, Sterling Sharpe, Patrick Warburton, Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and, Marcus Allen and Vince Coleman. Wayne Gretzky was supposed to play but could not come down from Canada because of Covid 19 restrictions. Other Hall of Fame players, famous sports figures, singers and actors were listed to play. They had a vast field of players who came from near and far o play as I think everyone is really ready to get back to more normal life and be among friends again. Many players are dedicated advocates for the Hazelden Betty Ford Center. Local dignitary Dan McGrath served as Emcee for the party.