Reflector Article
June 2000
Nancy McGillicuddy

High temperatures of 92 degrees didn't sway star gazers and golf fans from trailing Michael Jordan and company during Friday's Skins Game.

The heat evaporated most of Thursday's 2.5 inches of rain from the greens, leaving walking paths clear for patrons, celebrities and a train of about 20 golf carts.

Celebrities John Elway, Vince Gill, Mario Lemieux, Alex Hyde-White, Joe Morgan, Dan Quinn and Jordan all stroked at a chance to win money for different Ronald McDonald Houses in the state.

Ultimately Morgan, former baseball player with the Cincinnati Reds and ESPN baseball analyst, won $23,000, for the Winston-Salem location. Gill, a county music entertainer, won $18,000 for the Durham house and Quinn won $9,000 for the Chapel Hill house.

Pop singer Amy Grant followed the players in a golf cart, exiting frequently to mingle with guests and husband Gill. Daughter Claire and niece Millie caught a ride as well.

"I just love you," Barbara Lane of Edenton said after Grant signed her red-billed baseball hat near the second hole.

Celebs refreshed with water, or Dr. Pepper in Elway's case, throughout the 21/2-hour game.

Sitting on the passenger side of his caddy's cart, Michael Jordan sipped bottled water while Grant introduced her son, daughter, niece and nephews.

Clad in a red polo shirt, Jordan shook Claire's hand.

"God, you've got big hands," she said with a mouth-full of braces.

In the crabgrass next to the edge of golf cart path, her nephew collapsed in elated laughter.

"That was sooooo cool," he said.

Cool is the temperature many strove to remain.

On a stroll over from the greens, Gill planted a soft peck on Grant's cheek.

"Drink some water," Grant said while offering him a bottle.

Steve Childers, a volunteer from East Carolina University's accounting department, carried a metal score sign for the first three holes assuring fellow volunteers of its heft.

For the last few years, the department has been in charge of carrying the score sign. Childers said he was one of the lucky ones whose name was drawn from a hat.

"We've been training for months," he said facetiously. "It's like a lottery. I feel like I won big."

But the real winners are the three Ronald McDonald Houses of North Carolina, which will receive a total of $50,000 from the Skins Game - despite the rain or heat.

"Thanks for your support," Jordan said to the audience after the game. "Hopefully, you can continue to come out (Saturday) and Sunday. Hopefully, it won't be as hot, but today was a fun day for everybody."

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