Sam Chastain Memorial Golf Tournament Celebrates 10 Years

Eighty-four friends, family, former-coworkers and golf enthusiasts gathered together Friday to play 18-holes, have fun, donate to charity and to reminisce at the 10th Annual Sam Chastain Memorial Golf Tournament as part of Renton River Days. The game was held at .

On hand for the annual event was Chastain’s widow, Sandy (who has since remarried), her two daughters, his former administrative assistant and three buddies who played racquetball and golf with Chastain for years.

The buddies Glenn Kost, Mitch Wasserman, and Brian Berend have never missed one of the memorial golf tournaments, and are always the first to turn in their forms and sign up, said Sandy.

Sam Chastain was a former employee who worked in parks and recreation. He was much beloved in Renton for his commitment to community, and his support for helping children who might not otherwise be able to attend summer camps get the opportunity. 

He grew up in a poor family in North Carolina, Sandy said. “He saw how important it was for children to have the experience of camps and summer recreational programs."

Chastain was diagnosed with ALS — the debilitating neurological disease commonly called "Lou Gehrig's disease" only two weeks before he retired from the City of Renton, Sandy said.

It was difficult to go through the progressive disease, she said, because while the body starts to fail, the mind stays intact. 

He had never been sick all of those years, Sandy said, and had spent years playing golf and racquetball, making it more poignant to have the disease once he retired. Shortly after his diagnosis, Sandy quit her job as coordinator of Renton River Days to become his primary caregiver.

Many of the golfers had stories of the Chastain's vacation home in Leavenworth which seemed to have had a bit of a jinx. Once it burned to the ground in aforest fire, and no sooner did Chastain painstakingly rebuild it than it was hit by an avalance.

Bernd, his insurance agent, said he "never made any money on Sam Chastain."

The last trip he requested to take before his death, his wife said, was to Liberty Park, where the parks employees greeted him “How you doing boss?"

Nothing could have pleased him more, she said .

Sam Chastain died peacefully in May 2001, just shy of his and Sandy's 10th wedding annivesary.

“He was a classic guy who cared about the community,” said Kost. “It was easy for Renton River Days to name the golf tournament after him. It was a natural progression.”

The four men played racquetball together for a long time. As a tribute to their friend, and racquetball partner, they installed at placard in Court #1 at the Community Center that says, “Always watch your backside" because Sam was well-known for nailing you in just such a place, the guys laughed.

The men touch the plaque every time they enter the course.

This year’s tournament sponsor was Integrity Networks.  The coordinator of the event was Susie Bressan from the City of Renton, with a team of many sponsors and volunteers.

The event distributed numerous door prizes, a silent auction, and had a lunch for participants.

The proceeds of the Sam Chastain Golf Tournament will benefit Communities in Schools of Renton and the Sam Chastain Scholarship Foundation, through the Renton Community Foundation. It will provide funds for recreational programs for children that cannot afford them.

“He truly loved Renton, loved this course, and took such pride in it,” his wife said.”He always loved Renton and being a part of this community.”

The tournament winners were: 1st place with a score of 61: Soucy, Dowling, Anderson & White. 2nd place with a score of 63: Renner, Wallgreen, Lockhart, Byron. Mixed team: Shimezu, Miymoto, O'Neil, and Chikamura with a score of 62.