Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — One of the main events of Steamboat's golf season will be taking place Friday and Saturday, when the third annual Ski Town USA Golf Classic tees off at the Haymaker and Sheraton golf courses.
The golf tournament will be held in conjunction with the Doak Walker Care Center Benefit Auction on Friday, which features sports memorabilia autographed by John Elway, Ken Griffey Jr., Brett Favre, Todd Helton and other well-known athletes.
Walker died at age 71 in 1998 following complications that stemmed from a skiing accident in Steamboat. He was a 1948 Heisman Trophy winner from Southern Methodist University who later ran through NFL defenses with the Detroit Lions. He was a 30-year Steamboat Springs resident who lived here with his wife, Skeeter Werner-Walker, and children.
The auction will benefit the Doak Walker Care Center, and is being co-hosted by the Steamboat Dream Team and Steamboat Springs Rotary. The Walker Center, which is scheduled to open in late October, will offer short-term rehabilitative stays and long-term medical care, replacing the current Extended Care Center at Routt Memorial Hospital.
Hundreds of volunteers will be on hand at the golf courses this weekend to help organize the event, which will host about 180 golfers. The golf tournament includes prizes, and is open to anyone who is interested. Today is the final day to register.
The benefit auction will be at the Sheraton Grand Ballroom and begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased either in advance or at the door. An autographed baseball bat by Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton and an autographed jersey by Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre are up for bids.
Trips to San Diego, Florida and Cozumel will be up for grabs. A 10-day Alaskan fly-fishing trip also will be on the auction block.
Mignon Huizenga, tournament co-director, said the auction is an excellent opportunity for local residents to buy items that normally are not for sale.
"For people who don't golf, it's a great time to come and see these unique auction items that they couldn't purchase on their own," Huizenga said.
The sports items, Huzienga said, are examples of the respect and admiration that athletes from around the world have for Walker.
The auction includes door prizes, beer and wine, an appetizer buffet and Skyy Vodka martini bar.
Hospital spokeswoman Bonnie Boylan said the auction is a great chance to raise money for the Walker Center, and also an opportunity for local residents to pay tribute to one of Steamboat's best-known and beloved residents.
"It's certainly a worthwhile cause," said Boylan, who expects members of Walker's family to be at the event.
For more information about the golf tournament or auction, contact the Steamboat Springs Health Care Association's development office at 871-0700.

To reach Eric Rineer call 871-4229 or e-mail erineer@amigo.net