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Killebrew-Thompson Golf Tournament Boasts Events of Interest to the Public
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Wednesday, July 19, 2017
 

BY KAREN BOSSICK

Forty years. $15.6 million.

The Killebrew-Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament has made a sizeable impact in the world of leukemia and cancer research.

And organizers are aiming to do that again when they bring together golfers from coast to coast to Sun Valley to participate in the tourney and its accompanying events Aug. 16-19.

The tournament will be capped by a benefit concert featuring Huey Lewis and the News that’s open to the public at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Sun Valley Pavilion.

And doctors representing the two beneficiaries will talk about advancements in the treatment of prostate cancer and immune-oncology at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Sun Valley Inn’s Limelight Room in a forum open to the public.

“Our goal is to contribute $1 million to cancer research this year, between St. Luke’s MSTI (Mountain States Tumor Institute) in Boise and the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Cancer Center,” said Hannah Stauts, executive director of the Killebrew-Thompson Memorial.

The foundation was started in 1976 by former Minnesota Twins slugger Harmon Killebrew, who hailed from Payette, and then-Idaho Congressman Ralph Harding.

They invited a long list of celebrity including former President Gerald Ford, Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill, singer Amy Grant, actor Leslie Nielsen and ballplayers Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Bill Buckner.

Their goal: To raise money to find a cure for leukemia on behalf of Killebrew’s friend Danny Thompson, a Minnesota Twins shortstop who was diagnosed with leukemia at age 26 and went on to play two more seasons before succumbing to the disease.

The Killebrew-Thompson Memorial kicks off on Wednesday, Aug. 16, with practice rounds on Sun Valley and Elkhorn golf courses.

Tickets are available for the golf tournament, concert, and pre-concert VIP party with an open bar and appetizers.

This year’s tournament involves 40 corporate sponsors, including US Bank, Albertsons, Textron and May Trucking Company. And it will involve about 180 golfers, who bring more than 200 additional spouses and other guests.

This year’s Auction Gala on Friday, Aug. 18, at the Sun Valley Inn will include a two-year lease on a 2017 Lexus offered by Peterson Motors of Boise, a  vacation at a private retreat on the island of Molokai, a European river cruise and custom diamond jewelry crafted by Sun Valley’s Barry Peterson.

Back will be a Beretta shotgun donated by Silver Creek Outfitters. Eight bidders bought a similar Beretta last year.

Another big package includes two Golden Tickets to the Kentucky Bourbon Affair, a fantasy camp that features behind-the-scenes access to the nation’s most iconic distilleries, exclusive dinners with private chefs, skeet shooting and more.

“The Golden Tickets offer access to all the events, and they only sell 15 of these,” Stauts said

Huey Lewis presented the benefit concert in 2011 and has golfed in the tournament, as well.

“People had a ton of fun at his last concert. ESPN Sportscaster Chris Berman event got up on stage with him and sang,” Stauts said.

The Foundation hopes to sell sponsorships to more Sun Valley-area businesses to get the community more involved. Those who step up as sponsors will get VIP tickets to give to employees or outstanding clients.

The Thursday, Aug. 17, welcome barbecue at Trail Creek is like a family reunion so many participants return every year.

Non-golfers will be offered a private tour of some of the artists on the Wood River Studio Tour, in addition to a Ladies Luncheon and Fashion Show. Last year, non-golfers took part in Jim and Wendy Jaquets’ Hemingway tour and the year before that they attended fly fishing classes offered by Silver Creek Outfitters.

The addition of the Cancer in Focus forum from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Sun Valley Inn Limelight Room, reminds people what they’re helping to accomplish, said Stauts.

The doctors who will be talking are Dr. Scott Dehm, associate professor at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, and Dr. Dan Zuckerman, medical director at St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute.

“You’re getting the leading doctors in the country in their field and there will be plenty of time to ask questions,” Stauts said. “This is really not just a golf tournament we’re talking about here. It’s so much more.”

For information, call 208-726-1049 or go to www.killebrewthompsonmemorial.com

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