| From the Greenville, NC Newspaper, "The Daily Reflector" (June 25, 2001): Crowd Pleasers Fans, stars say Jordan absence makes for more relaxed event Fans and organizers said Michael Jordan's absence relaxed the atmosphere and increased access to the stars during the Ronald McDonald Celebrity Classic. For the first time in 12 years, the former NBA star was not involved with the annual tournament, held Saturday and Sunday at the Ironwood Golf and Residential Community. It will be several weeks before organizers know how much money the event raised for North Carolina's four Ronald McDonald houses, officials said. Some spectators attributed a noticeably lower turnout to Jordan's absence, but others said the lack of Jordan-related fanfare resulted in a more enjoyable time for celebs and fans. "Most of the people here, they are having a better time. It's more relaxed," said honorary chairwoman and Guiding Light actress Kim Zimmer. "Michael (is) surrounded by security, which makes people feel he is less accessible." In his years as a chairman, Jordan's crowd interactions were limited. But Zimmer, in her new chair role, approached fans at every hole and often threw out conversation bits meant for her golf partners and the handful of Guiding Light gurus following her around the greens. "You guys don't watch my show, do you?" she asked the two teenage boys at the sixth hole. "No, but my sister does," said J.J. Taylor of Vanceboro. Zimmer asked the 16-year-old to say hello to his sister, Jennifer, for her. Many factors played a part in the turn-out, said Zimmer, who plays Reva Shayne on the daytime drama. "I know the crowds are thinner, but that could be attributed to anything," she said. "Everyone has been sensitive about that." Event spokesperson Emily Faulkner said many celebrities told her the event was a total success - one of the best ever. "So many people are just happy," she said. "We just try to make sure everybody's comfortable." Spectator Lori Wilson of Pactolus said celebrities were easy to approach all day Sunday as she stood at the 15th hole. Wilson, who stayed in the Ronald McDonald house when one of her four daughters was ill, said the celebrities showed their personalities as they stopped briefly to tee off near her station. "It's nice to meet some of the people that are doing it and find out what they are like," she said. "Some of them are real friendly." Dennis Haskins, Mr. Belding on "Saved by the Bell" and Joshua Morrow, Nick on "The Young and the Restless," impressed Wilson the most. This year's tournament events ran Thursday through Sunday and featured more than 40 celebrities from all walks of stardom. Other fund-raisers for the week included a concert featuring country music singer Lila McCann, a 5-kilometer road race and a silent auction. Faulkner said the auction was a success, although no official donation numbers are in. Big sellers included a soccer ball and jersey signed by Mia Hamm and pottery made by tournament chairman Bill Freelove. "We had bidding wars over Bill's pottery," Faulkner said. Also, a toy box decorated by children from the hospital and the McDonald house at a painting party at the Greenville Hilton on Friday, went to NBA star Ray Allen for $1,500. The tournament also got an early financial boost from Jordan, who donated $300,000 in proceeds from the inaugural Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, which was held at Paradise Island Bahamas in January. Since it was first established in 1984, the tournament has raised more than $2.2 million for North Carolina's Ronald McDonald houses. Character Counts Zimmer hits it off during tourney Actress Kim Zimmer enjoyed her role as honorary chairwoman for this year's Ronald McDonald Celebrity Classic. But another role, the one she plays on the CBS drama "Guiding Light", came in handy a few times. When Zimmer hit her ball into a bunker on the 11th hole Sunday at the Ironwood course, she blamed the gaff on Reva Shayne's current blindness and retook the tee. She blamed her character's evil twin for a struggle on an earlier hole. "My game is terrible today. I think I get distracted because everyone comes up to talk to us," she explained. "You can't get into a rhythm, but that's what it's all about. It doesn't really matter how well you play." Zimmer ought to know. She has participated almost every year since 1985. Money raised during the tournament benefits the four Ronald McDonald houses in North Carolina. Families of seriously ill children stay in the house while the children receive medical treatment. "I've only missed two years," she said. "Once because I was pregnant and due, and once because of weather." Zimmer received a call in February asking if she would consider the chair position. "I said, 'I don't have to consider. Yes, I'll tell you right now. I would be happy to.'" As honorary chair, Zimmer focused on making celebrities more accessible and more personal. She wanted to make sure all the celebrities were well-thanked so they will come back again. "I think we have a really good group of celebrities this year," she said. Zimmer also enjoyed the time she could spend with her fans, even taking a break to learn sign language from three hearing-impaired young men who came out to see her. "When you're a celebrity, you can't really concentrate anyway, because your job is a little different than to come out and win a golf tournament," she said. "Most of us are out here to entertain the people who have come to see us." Overall on Sunday, Zimmer's team was playing fairly well in the best-ball tournament. Her teammates said she saved them on the third hole, using all her shots until they got on the green. On Saturday, her team came in five under par. In addition to her time on the golf course, Zimmer spent a lot of time on the ViQuest 5-kilometer race course Saturday morning, she said. "I don't know what my time was, but I came in at 161st," she said. "I don't know how many people ran, but I know I was close to the rear." Saturday's race was Zimmer's first 5K, and she said she was happy just to do it and finish. As for her show, Zimmer told a few hints about some upcoming episodes. "Reva will see again," she said. "She'll get her eyesight back around the Fourth of July, just in time for the fireworks." For those wondering about a Josh and Reva reunion, Zimmer said, "He has to earn it." |