Many parents take for granted their child's first step, first words and the first time they say "I love you."
But for the parents of autistic children, those milestones have even more meaning.
"It's a lot more difficult for a child with autism," said Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Olie Kolzig, whose son Carson, 7, is autistic. "When they finally speak their first word or say I love you, it really hits home. It's an emotion you can't describe unless you've gone through it. There's an unconditional love with these children; they are very special. I'm fortunate to have a son like Carson."
Kolzig and former Tri-City Americans teammate Stu Barnes (Dallas Stars) raise funds and bring awareness to autism with a summer golf tournament -- Olie and Stu's Desert Bash -- at Meadow Springs Country Club in Richland.
The seventh edition of the event, which ended Monday, raised a record $170,000, of which $47,000 was cash donations. The top auction item was a Mexican cruise that went for $12,000. Since the tournament began, it has raised more than $750,000 for the Carson Kolzig Foundation.
The event also had a call for scholarships and raised $8,000. The money will provide 80 families with the $100 tuition for next week's Southeastern Washington Autism Conference at Three Rivers Convention Center.
"It doesn't matter if it's $1 or $20,000, every dollar is vital," Kolzig said. "The big foundations like Autism Speaks are obviously more into the research part of it, where as the Carson Kolzig Foundation is more into the support of families that are affected now and we can help them now. We've got very, very generous people. People who want to do their part. No dollar goes unnoticed."
This year's tournament had a record 34 teams and a record number of sponsors.
Team Individual (Tex Rutter, Paul Presby, Mike Vine, Rob King) won the Players Division with a 226, while Ebb Tide Construction (Ted Ebbelaar, Vickie Ebbelaar, Mike Reynolds, Scott Murphy) was second at 229.
In the Manager's Division, ConAgra 2 (Don Downard, Mark Schuster, Mark Rowe, Mike Metcalf, Mike Kasch) had the top score of 238. The LeMaster and Daniels team (Dennis Loman, Tom O'Brien, Kevin Cox, Mark Olenius, Luke Megna) was second at 239.
Aric Ellison of the Sundown Sport & Marine team won the closest-to-the-pin contest at 1 foot, 1 inch, while Lee Petty of the JP Moore team had the longest drive at 340 yards.
Autism affects one in every 150 children and is more prevalent than cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, childhood cancer, deafness or juvenile diabetes. Treatment for an autistic child can run $30,000 to $80,000 per year, most of which is not covered by insurance.
"Autism is destructive in so many ways. That's a big reason we started this foundation," Kolzig said. "Obviously the child is most important, but it really affects the family. I think the divorce rate is 80 percent for couples with an autistic child. A lot of it is financial burden. We are fortunate with my career, but we'd like to help out families who are less fortunate."
Former NHL goalie Byron Dafoe, whose son Eric, 8, is autistic, is a familiar face every summer at the Desert Bash.
"I'm blown away. Every year gets better," said Dafoe, who makes his home in Kelowna, British Columbia. "For the size of this community, it's incredible. Olie and I have gone through this the last six years with our wives. We lean on each other. There are tough days and great days. Playing hockey together and against each other, we use each other as a support system because we understand each other. Throw in the autism and that has made our friendship stronger."
Dafoe, along with Kolzig and former NHL forward Scott Mellanby, will play host to an Athletes Against Autism golf tournament Aug. 10-11 in Kelowna. Mellanby's son Carter is autistic.
Clint Didier, a former tight end for the Washington Redskins, clears his calendar for the Desert Bash.
"I always make an appearance here," said Didier, who now farms near Connell. "His cause is a great cause and they put on a first-class tournament. It has touched me personally through my brother-in-law's family. They have two children who are autistic -- beautiful kids, very smart -- but it's something we have to find a cure for."
Notes
There were several former Tri-City Americans players in the field, including goalies Dusty Imoo and Tyler Weiman, and forwards Colton Yellow Horn, Dylan Stanley, Alex Aldred and Shawn Vey. Also in the field were Americans players Taylor Procyshen and Jason Reese, who will return for their final WHL season. The Spokane Chiefs also lent a hand as forward Seth Compton, a native of West Richland, joined the two-day event. Yellow Horn have a month-long tryout with Salzburg (Austria Erste Bank Liga) in August. Stanley, who just finished his final year at the University of Alberta, signed a one-year contract to play in Germany for the Rosenheim Star Bulls. Aldred will return to New Brunswick for his second season of hockey, while Vey will attend the University of Saskatchewan and play hockey.
Former Americans defenseman Matt Swaby, who will play at the University of Saskatchewan this season, rode in the novice saddle bronc event at the Calgary Stampede on July 9. He lasted 7.8 seconds before being bucked off by War Drum.