When Bob Gilder comes to Portland in August the Jeld-Wen Tradition will not be the only thing on his demanding schedule. A cause near and dear to Gilder’s heart will get some of the busy PGA Champion’s Tour pro’s time and energy. Gilder is playing in the Platt Golf Challenge 2004, a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“This is the first year I’ll be playing in the tournament. It’s very important to me because my grandson has CF—he’s two years old,” Gilder said.

Gilder got involved with the event through Chris Otis, director of the Oregon Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“Chris and I talked and she told me about the event and I wanted to participate,” Gilder said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

This will be the seventh year the tournament will be held at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course and this year the event has expanded to include both the public Ghost Creek course and the private Witch Hollow side of the club.

“We hope to have over 200 golfers and blow by the $120,000 we raised for CF last year,” Platt said. “Overall, I believe we are just under $3 million raised for CF since Platt Electric got involved with the charity in 1989.”

Gilder will help promote the event, play in it and bring some of the items to be sold at an auction to benefit CF.

“Bob and I are going to radio stations to promote the tournament and we’re adding a new twist this year by starting the bidding for some of the auction items on the radio and then we’ll continue to take bids at the auction itself,” said Harvey Platt, president of Platt Electric and tournament organizer. “For instance we have a great item that includes two tickets on the 50-yard line at Lambeau Field, a tour of the facility, and a meet-and-greet with some of the Green Bay Packers. Bob and I will start bidding for that item on 860 KPAM with Bob Miller on the morning of August 13. The last bid on the radio will then be the starting bid at the auction.”

Gilder and Platt will also be making a stop at The Fan 1080 FM to start the bidding on courtside tickets for a Los Angeles Lakers game and a behind the scenes tour at ESPN.

Gilder will donate autographed pin flags from the Champion’s Tour for the auction as well as a lesson and round of golf.

The tournament is in its ninth year and is sponsored by IEC/NECA.