Desert Bash brings in more money than anticipated

By Annie Fowler, Herald staff writer
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rMark Rypien has played in a lot of charity golf tournaments, but the former Washington State and Washington Redskins quarterback was impressed with Olie and Stu’s Desert Bash before he even teed off Monday at Meadow Springs Country Club.
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r”The enthusiasm and excitement for this event is heartfelt,” said Rypien, who will play host to his own benefit tournament on Sunday. “They are doing good work and it has a personal touch. Instead of playing for a large foundation where only a cent of every dollar stays here, every cent stays here in the Tri-City area.”
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rThe tournament, in its fifth year, is hosted by NHL stars and Tri-City Americans owners Olie Kolzig and Stu Barnes.
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rThe event, which will benefit the Carson Kolzig Foundation and the Children’s Developmental Center, far exceeded its goal, raising $165,000 from Sunday’s auction alone. When sponsorship and golf entry fees are added, that total could exceed $200,000.
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r”This community never ceases to amaze me,” Kolzig said. “I thought last year ($140,000) was one of those years when everything went right. I didn’t think we would raise near that this year. It just blew me away. It says so much about the Tri-City community and that’s why we call it home.”
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