There have been changes, of course. It’s now the Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing
Technologies Celebrity Invitational, reflecting the enormous contributions by Tani and Bill Austin
who brought not only their funding but their philanthropic inspiration to the cause.

And the venue has changed to the high-energy Fantasy Springs Resort Casino where tribal chairman
David Roosevelt and the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians have imbued every aspect of the tournament
with impressive style and class.

But it’s the things- especially the people- who haven’t changed a bit in 25 years, that made this night so special:
Emcee Tom Dressen, Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, Pat Boone, William Devane, Vince Ferragamo,
Rollie Fingers, Tom Flores, Steve Garvey, Gary Mule Deer and wife Nita, John O’Hurley, Norm Crosby,
Bill Smitrovich, Frankie Randall, Deanna Martin (Dean’s daughter), actor Robert Hays, comic Bill Engvall
and composer Carol Connors among them.

By Betty Francis
Special To The Desert Sun