In his too-few 49 years, Mike Nelson touched many lives.

He loved kids and causes and gave of his own time and money to support
them. One of his efforts was the Lunch Buddy Kid Program – a benefit much
like a big brother program with individuals committing to underprivileged
children.

“After Mike’s death several of his friends decided to memorialize him and his
efforts to benefit his favorite cause,” David Ligatich said. “Mike had such a
large friend base when he died, that later on it gave a good start to the then
newly formed golf benefit.”

Ligatich is this year’s chair of the Fourth Annual Mike Nelson Golf Tournament,
to be held June 21 and 22 at the Resort at the Mountain.

Kerry Belle Isle, last year’s chair of the tourney, like many, had a personal
relationship with Nelson – who suffered his fatal heart attack while working on
a construction project with Belle Isle.

“He was a wonderful guy, and my best friend,” Belle Isle said. “Everyone
loved him. He never had a bad word for anyone.”

The tournament has grown through the first three years, from 90 entrants
with the inaugural to 130 golfers last year – raising more than $2,500 for the
Lunch Buddy Kid Program.

“This year will be even bigger,” Ligatich said. “In fact, this will be the biggest
golf tournament ever on the Mountain. Bar none.”

The extravaganza will feature a star-studded list of celebrity golfers, an
impressive group of sponsors, and dazzling prizes for entrants.

Bill Johnson, World Cup ski champion and Olympic gold medal winner in alpine
skiing – both accomplished in the same year (1984) – is on the list, as well
as:

Tim Windell, eight-time world champion snowboarder;
Bobby Gross, member of the 1977 Portland Trailblazers championship team;
Tom Gorman, pitcher for the New York Mets;

Mike Walter, three-time Super Bowl champion linebacker (49ers);
Darrell Imhoff, who stood (partly) in the way vs. Wilt Chamberlain on the
Stilt’s 100-point night; and many more.

Sponsors include Mattress World; Milwaukie Lumber; Intrepid Construction;
Javelin Logistics; Virgin America Airlines; Adidas and Roar Logistics.

Prizes include fishing trips; golf clubs; outfits; power tools; restaurant and
hotel gift certificates; and for those who discover after the tournament they
need them: golf lessons.

Tee time is 10 a.m., Saturday, June 22, preceded by a 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. meet
and greet on Friday night at The Mallards Bar & Grill at the Resort.

Entry fee is $110 for individuals, $440 per team for the shotgun start and
scramble format tournament. The fee includes 18 holes of golf, dinner and
prizes.

To sign up make checks payable to: Mike Nelson Memorial Golf Tournament.
Send payment to: Kerry Belle Isle, 321 SE Alder, Portland, Ore., 97214.