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Celebs, community golf at Plateau Club for Williams foundation

July 14, 2009

By Christopher Huber

By Christopher Huber
Burly former Seattle Seahawk Alonzo Mitz stepped onto the ninth-hole tee box, took a couple of warm-up swings and, with only one hand gripping the driver, hooked the ball into the thick woods to the left of the fairway.
Even though he mumbled something under his breath, the hit didn’t seem to bother him too much. He was there to have 18 holes of fun, while supporting a worthy cause, not to scrutinize his golf technique.
Mitz, along with about 170 other celebrities, local residents and friends of the late Josh Williams, spent July 7 playing golf at the Plateau Club to support the Joshua P. Williams Foundation.
The seventh annual golf, dinner and auction event brought in more than $100,000 for the foundation, which in turn supports five local charities.
“The fact of helping someone else, that’s what it’s all about,” Mitz said, after finishing the ninth hole.
Over the past six years, the foundation has granted or donated more than $700,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, Athletes for Kids, Young Life, Friends of Youth and Camp Sambica, according to the foundation’s Web site.
The day concluded with a short auction, in which Brad Goode,of King 5 auctioned off six vacation packages.
They included trips to Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie, New York and Maui.
“In this economy, they went for more than I expected them to go for,” said Josh Williams’ mother and foundation co-chair Debbie Williams. “The feedback that we get from our guests is always so positive that we get re-energized (to do it) again.”
Mitz was just one of many celebrities to return to golf with old friends and give to the foundation — retired Mariners Jay Buhner, Norm Charlton and others also participated.
Eastlake High School football coach Gene Dales also participated.
But a group of 16 of Josh Williams’ former Skyline High School friends also came back to support the cause and reconnect with old friends.
This year, instead of serving as caddies, as they had in years past, many of the now-23-year-olds golfed for themselves. Not only did they golf, they turned heads and provoked laughs by wearing the brightest-colored 70s-era outfits.
Some of Williams’ closest friends said the goal of wearing the flamboyant attire was to promote a jovial mood on the course while participants celebrated his life and the impact he had on the Sammamish community.
“(Josh’s death) brought a lot of reality of how you spent time with the people you’re close to,” said friend Warren Creech. “You have to enjoy it as much as you can while you can and live in the moment.”
Creech said he once caddied for Dino Rossi.
“It’s fun to get the chance to meet them (celebrities) every year,” Creech said. “It makes for a lot of great conversations.”
Another close friend, Tim Hatlen, who is now a graduate of the University of Washington, was impressed with the community’s outpouring of support every year.
He said the death of a friend or family member is sad, but to see Williams’ parents smiling and celebrating Josh’s life, “It’s just a happy moment.”
Josh Williams was 16 when he died in a snowboarding accident Jan. 21, 2002.
Parents Phil and Debbie Williams, along with close family friends, started the foundation in his memory and to recognize the role of community, family, leadership and teamwork in the lives of youth.
Josh Williams is remembered for his leadership, kindness, faith, integrity, giving spirit and achievements in academics and athletics.
After the 2009 golf event was over, Phil and Debbie Williams, though tired, seemed happy with the way things turned out.
“It feels fabulous and I think what we do is throw a fun event that brings people together,” Debbie Wilson said. “It’s not just about giving away money. It’s the full package that seems to work together. It’s a lot of great synergy.”
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242 or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.

Burly former Seattle Seahawk Alonzo Mitz stepped onto the ninth-hole tee box, took a couple of warm-up swings and, with only one hand gripping the driver, hooked the ball into the thick woods to the left of the fairway.

Even though he mumbled something under his breath, the hit didn’t seem to bother him too much. He was there to have 18 holes of fun, while supporting a worthy cause, not to scrutinize his golf technique.

Skyline graduate and Williams family friend Mark Hanan tees off from the ninth hole at the Plateau Club July 7 at the Joshua P. Williams Foundation benefit golf tournament. Photo by Christopher Huber

Skyline graduate and Williams family friend Mark Hanan tees off from the ninth hole at the Plateau Club July 7 at the Joshua P. Williams Foundation benefit golf tournament. Photo by Christopher Huber

Mitz, along with about 170 other celebrities, local residents and friends of the late Josh Williams, spent July 7 playing golf at the Plateau Club to support the Joshua P. Williams Foundation.

The seventh annual golf, dinner and auction event brought in more than $100,000 for the foundation, which in turn supports five local charities.

“The fact of helping someone else, that’s what it’s all about,” Mitz said, after finishing the ninth hole.

Over the past six years, the foundation has granted or donated more than $700,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, Athletes for Kids, Young Life, Friends of Youth and Camp Sambica, according to the foundation’s Web site.

The day concluded with a short auction, in which Brad Goode,of King 5 auctioned off six vacation packages.

They included trips to Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie, New York and Maui.

“In this economy, they went for more than I expected them to go for,” said Josh Williams’ mother and foundation co-chair Debbie Williams. “The feedback that we get from our guests is always so positive that we get re-energized (to do it) again.”

Mitz was just one of many celebrities to return to golf with old friends and give to the foundation — retired Mariners Jay Buhner, Norm Charlton and others also participated.

Eastlake High School football coach Gene Dales also participated.

But a group of 16 of Josh Williams’ former Skyline High School friends also came back to support the cause and reconnect with old friends.

This year, instead of serving as caddies, as they had in years past, many of the now-23-year-olds golfed for themselves. Not only did they golf, they turned heads and provoked laughs by wearing the brightest-colored 70s-era outfits.

Some of Williams’ closest friends said the goal of wearing the flamboyant attire was to promote a jovial mood on the course while participants celebrated his life and the impact he had on the Sammamish community.

“(Josh’s death) brought a lot of reality of how you spent time with the people you’re close to,” said friend Warren Creech. “You have to enjoy it as much as you can while you can and live in the moment.”

Creech said he once caddied for Dino Rossi.

“It’s fun to get the chance to meet them (celebrities) every year,” Creech said. “It makes for a lot of great conversations.”

Another close friend, Tim Hatlen, who is now a graduate of the University of Washington, was impressed with the community’s outpouring of support every year.

He said the death of a friend or family member is sad, but to see Williams’ parents smiling and celebrating Josh’s life, “It’s just a happy moment.”

Josh Williams was 16 when he died in a snowboarding accident Jan. 21, 2002.

Parents Phil and Debbie Williams, along with close family friends, started the foundation in his memory and to recognize the role of community, family, leadership and teamwork in the lives of youth.

Josh Williams is remembered for his leadership, kindness, faith, integrity, giving spirit and achievements in academics and athletics.

After the 2009 golf event was over, Phil and Debbie Williams, though tired, seemed happy with the way things turned out.

“It feels fabulous and I think what we do is throw a fun event that brings people together,” Debbie Wilson said. “It’s not just about giving away money. It’s the full package that seems to work together. It’s a lot of great synergy.”

Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242 or chuber@isspress.com.

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Written by Christopher Huber · Filed Under Sports 

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