2026 High Hopes Golf Tournament & Legends Weekend Wrap-Up
OPENING CEREMONY
The 2026 Sports Galore weekend with Legend Night and the High Hopes Golf Tournament was legendary and record-breaking! Alyssa Peppers opened the night with a beautiful performance of the national anthem. Mark Grange presented an inspiring prayer. Then, sportscasters and MCs Alan Sillence and Ryan Rogers directed the program.
THE TORCH
This year’s theme was the Olympics, and legendary skier Phil Mahre delivered an outstanding and personal keynote speech about growing up skiing at White Pass and winning the gold medal at the 1984 Olympics.
MEDALS EARNED
The 2026 honored legends followed with inspired and honest talks. Steve Dale spoke of the talent, friendship and courage of the late Spud Edmondson. Angie Pleasant Crawford shared her life decisions involving performance and loyalty and told of the strength she gained from friends and family. Ryan Leahy extended personal compliments to his Yakima Valley and college coaches and added humor with his impersonations of Lou Holtz. Annie Schefter Knudson spoke of injuries and patience, stating she is grateful for the support she received from her coaches and family. The audience felt fortunate to hear the athletes speak. David Trimble was not able to attend, but his athletic accomplishments were announced and applauded with enthusiasm. Alan and Ryan were efficient in directing and moderating the program and scoreboard!
THE SCOREBOARD
- 201 attended dinner Friday night.
- 140 played golf on Saturday.
- 72 volunteers helped with dinner and/or the golf tournament.
- 110 volunteer positions were filled by the 72 volunteers.
- 31 businesses/individuals sponsored golfers.
- Olympic basketball player Ralph Bishop was elected to the Sport Legends Board.
- The First Responder Cup was awarded to the Yakima County Sheriff’s Department.
- A $10,000 grant was awarded to Yakima Rotary Clubs to build a universally accessible playground at Larson Park.
OLYMPIC VILLAGE
Applause and praise go to the Yakima Convention Center for the delicious international dinner in an ideal Olympic Village-type setting. Compliments and appreciation go to the Apple Tree Golf Resort staff for serving lunch and the very memorable nachos at the after-golf Trophy Par-TEE. Through wind and sun, 140 youth and adult golfers played the beautiful Apple Tree course.
FANS
The board of Parker Youth & Sports Foundation compliments an unstoppable volunteer group of seventy-two people who, working nonstop, managed the 110 tasks needed for the events. A special shout-out to the Southeast Saint Football parents and Michelle & Carl from Granger who helped set up for Legends Night! They never sat down!
THE PODIUM
On the podium of appreciation, we thank the sponsors, players, guests and volunteers who attended the dinner and played golf this year. Thank you, Premier Sponsor Sherrie Parker, for the dinner and golf team sponsorships and for the unexpected matching fund opportunity for donors during Raise the Paddle! Great appreciation goes to GOLD SPONSORS: the Stan Renecker Family, Jon & Linda Mulvenon, Tom Garrison Family and Washington Fruit & Produce. Great cheers go to SILVER SPONSORS: Yakima Valley Community Foundation, Fidelity Title Co., Engravings Unlimited, Phil Hinrichs, Gary & Mary Lou Staples, Ed & Mary Ann Kershaw, Mike Carnahan, Lisa Krous and family. Final bouquets go to BRONZE SPONSORS: Pepsi-Noel Corporation of Yakima and Terril, Lewis & Wilke Insurance, Inc. We earned the revenue needed to meet our goal, and the final count reveals that this was financially the most successful Legends weekend in our 22-year history.
CLOSING CEREMONY
Loyal supporters, sponsors, and athletic volunteers: TAKE A BOW! We needed you to raise funds for youth athletics, and YOU DID IT! The community is invited to attend the 2027 Sports Galore weekend on August 27 and 28!!
Posted October 01, 2026