`Giver' Acton dies of cancer

Rick Acton, one of the best players and most popular figures in Northwest golf for three decades, died eight months after being diagnosed with cancer.

Acton died at home yesterday in the Sahalee neighborhood on the Sammamish Plateau, one day after his 54th birthday.

"Rick was one of the best players to come out of the Northwest," said John Bodenhamer, executive director of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association. "He had a great passion for the game in all areas. He cared deeply about the PGA of America (the club pros' association) and about amateurs. He helped a lot of people."

Acton played a behind-the-scenes role in bringing the 1998 PGA Championship to Sahalee Country Club, where he was head pro from 1984-1997. He wrote about the tournament and the course for The Seattle Times.

Bruce King, former KOMO-TV sportscaster and a Sahalee member, said, "Rick loved the game and he enjoyed people so much."

Acton is regarded as possibly the best putter in Northwest golf. King said Acton used to beat Sahalee members in informal putting contests by using the end of the putter instead of the blade.

He was a teacher and friend to thousands of golfers during his lifetime.

Sue Ursino, a local top amateur who was an Acton student, said last night, "I put a club in my hand tonight and burst into tears."

Jerry Pearsall, executive director of the Pacific Northwest section of the PGA, said, "A lot of time, good players are just good players. Rick contributed in so many additional ways. He was renowned as one of the best teachers in the country. He loved the game, loved to play and loved to teach."

Golf Magazine ranked Acton as among the 100 best golf instructors.

Acton, a former University of Washington pitcher from Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, had stints on both the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour.

He was on the PGA Tour from 1973-1977 before a serious auto accident in Miami in which he suffered six fractures, knee injuries and required 250 stitches.

He qualified for the Senior Tour in 1995 and finished 31st on the money list in 1996, with six top-10 finishes.

In 1997, he was hampered by knee problems and slipped to 59th on the money list and lost his Tour card. After the 1997 season, his left knee was replaced with an artificial joint. After that, he played mostly in Northwest events.

During his career, Acton won 18 significant Northwest championships, including the Washington Open three times. Acton said he always found the life of a club pro more satisfying than that of a Tour pro.

"Tour players are `getters,' - they are given everything and it's a very self-centered life," he said. "Club pros are `givers.' "

He was diagnosed with liver and colon cancer in late May after experiencing severe pain on the final day of the Washington Open. On June 12, he married his longtime girlfriend, Debbie Coburn.

Funeral plans are pending. ----------------------------- The Rick Acton file

Life: Jan. 5, 1946-Jan. 6, 2000. High school: Lake Washington. College: University of Washington. Best known as: Head pro at Sahalee Country Club from 1984-97 who won 18 significant Northwest tournaments. PGA Tour: Three top-five finishes between 1973-76 before injuries in auto accident. Senior Tour: Six top-10 finishes in 1996 and finished 31st on money list and retained Tour card. Lost Tour card in 1997. Northwest championships: Won three Washington Opens, four Oregon Opens, five Northwest Section PGA Championships, six Washington PGA Match Play titles. Professional honors: Only pro in history of Pacific Northwest section of PGA of America to win awards in four areas, including teaching and playing.