Gillis Gold- First Year Inductees

Denny Smith     Turley & Johnson    

Wheeler & Bush and all the Dancers      Johnny O' Grady

Hoffy     Big Murph      Machado     Arico     Roo       Al Vallarine

Shorty     Kevin Lennon       Harry     Betsey & Robert

Spencer     Steve Davis      Davin     Tootie & Jonno

America's Team     Sean Keefe

Denny Smith

There has only been 2 people, besides Steve and I, who has attended every single tournament since its inception in 1971. Denny Smith and Alan Vallarine were there when we had 17 teams that first year, but a big reason we still know all the details of that first one, and every year since, is because Denny Smith chronicled all of them with his stellar photography. Both are St. Bernards grads, but Denny has known every player who ever played in Playa del Rey. He got a G with Mark Prior in 1978, Won the Hoffy with Ebba in '92, won the 6-Man in '96, and was King in '89 alongside Queen Veronica Cressman. No one has contributed more than Denny over the past 38 years.

Pat Turley and Dik Johnson

At Gillis 6-9, matching homemade trunks were the rage. At Gillis 10, a new standard was set by Turley and Johnson when they rented an antique car, had a driver bring them on the bike path and appeared at the tourney dressed as Laurel and Hardy. They even had 1920's swimsuits and acted out the characters during games. After that year, they went to even greater lengths. They rented horses and came as The Lone Ranger and Tonto. They rented a camel and rode it down the beach dressed as oil sheiks. Another year, they arrived as the police, in rented uniforms and squad cars to bust the drinkers. They pulled down tarps covering a jail cell, erected the night before, to reveal a live band and dancers dressed in stripes, all singing with Turley to Jailhouse Rock.The next year they drove down the bikepath in a rented stretch limo dressed as beachbums from Hawaii. Their finale was just as spectacular as they dressed as bums, strolled down the beach towards the Gillis, searching in every trash can for something to eat. No one knew who they were until they grabbed the microphone and gave a speech. This run of 5-6 years made every team want to wear costumes, a key ingredient to the spectacle of todays Gillis.

Al Wheeler, Jim Bush and all the Dancers

Wheeler and Bush first appeared at the Gillis 19 years ago, bringing with them Al’s 2 daughters, Alysha and Tiffany, and Bush’s daughter Jamie.The girls' hobby was dancing so they brought all their friends. Al and Jim inspired them to create dance routines based on current themes, design costumes, and perform a show at the beach. Showtime was a way to get everyone to watch these young kids and old men perform amazing routines. Their first major routine was  Michael Jackson's "Thriller" which was encored at Gillis 25. They have performed without fail for 19 straight years. Alysha was Queen in 1997 and Jamie was honored as Queen in 1998.

Johnny O’Grady

Our most colorful celebrity, Johnny ‘O brought a lot more to the Gillis than his best Animal House imitation. Camps did not materialize until Johnny ‘O arrived on the scene 17 years ago. He inspired his teams to "Live" the Gillis from Friday night until Sunday night by sleeping both nights in his camp, and partying continuosly throughout. His Camps were the most creative and took weeks of preparation. His most elaborate schemes were The Roman Empire, The Wizard of OZ, Sesame Street and Star Trek. Johnny O’s most famous claim to fame at the Gillis though was "Chuggles the Clown", a clown head with a rubber hose attached to his mouth for beer delivery. His biggest tradition was the egg sandwich delivered each Sunday morning to Steve. He was King in '92 alongside Queen Kerry House.

Hoffy

Paul Hoffman, a 1970 grad from St. Bernards, made himself famous in 1974 by bringing his camping stove and boiling Hoffy hot dogs right by the court for participants. At the 11th annual he started to complain that he couldn’t compete with the everyday players anymore, inspiring the creation of a whole new bracket, designed for the next tier of players. It originally was run by him as a separate tourney with only St. Bernards grads, but it has developed over the years into the many facets it has today.

Big Murph

John Murphy came to the Gillis 15 years ago when he bartended at Toes Tavern. He immediately set a new standard for partying and wearing outrageous costumes that has rarely been matched. His all-out effort and enthusiasm for the weekend has never waned. Big Murph is responsible for Coors Light participating as our one corporate sponsor each year. He was King in '84 alongside the Queens of Chavez's Harem. He keeps the Gillis going from sunup Saturday till Sundown on Sunday. A monstrous legendary status.

Machado

Greg Machado came to the Gillis 25 years ago as our "Sam Malone." Charming and handsome, there wasn’t a queen he didn’t love. He was the first great play-by-play announcer on the microphone and has inspired many to duplicate his style. He was a King in '78 alonside Queen Christy Zerboni, and got his "G" with Kevin Fabian in '77.  His house with Turley that overlooked Rosecrans courts for a decade in the 70's inspired great play and great parties.His toast with Fabian initiated all toasts after that: "At this special time of year, a time of joy, a time of cheer, when one counts the good times, one thing's clear, the Gillis deserves one big cheer."

Arico

Jim Arico started playing at the Gillis in 1975 as a young teenager. He is the only one who succeeded in getting the Hov to play ('77) and will be the only one to get him back again. His fiery play has gotten him to many finals these past 23 years, including a big win in 1990 with Dave Denitz. His microphone banter has made him a legend, as well as his many almost-wins with Sean Icazza.

Roo

Mark Williams started playing in the Gillis in 1978 as a young teen with Gus. He quickly turned into a Gillis legend, winning almost every finals he played in. His ability to play great, while drinking Duck, helped him achieve wins with Steve, Dave, Whitey, Rocky and Mike Boehle. He even got Harry to the finals. Roo is a true Legend of the Gillis!

Alan Valarine

Al started playing in the Gillis at the tournament's 1971 inception, and kept an unblemished attendance record for 26 years. He missed one Gillis, due to a personal conflict in 1997.  He did manage to attend the Gillis party that year, but the powers that be said his streak was over. Al still holds the 2nd longest attendance record next to Denny Smith. His highlight during that run was a 5th place in 1979 with Tim Hayes, and being King alongside Queen Connie Gehley in 1974.

Shorty

Tim Bradford started attending the Gillis in 1975 and has never missed one since. A fiery man on the microphone, Tim is the reason the Gillis has finished on time every year. His instinctual knowledge of when a team needs to be "Ducked" has been legendary.His homemade trunks set the standard in that first decade and his skits and costumes have been colorful and unique.

Kevin Lennon

Kevin’s antics on the microphone as Robin Leech have taken the finals to a whole new level. His ability to talk the Venice boys into singing the national anthems have been a great memory at the toast. "And that's not all"...A fixture at the Gillis, along with all of the clan from Venice, for over 20 years. Memorable!

Harry

Harry Stuetzel was the man behind Cold Duck. He brought a case to the tourney in the early 70's while working for Gallo, and the Gillis was never the same. His presence since the beginning years has brought so much to the Gillis. He became the oldest player to get to the finals with Roo, and he got his crown as King in 1997. There aren't enough words to describe this Gillis legend.

Robert and Elizabeth Chavez

Robert has played in the Gillis since he was a teenager. He has won 6 Gillis finals, starting in 1979 with Steve Rottman, then '92 with Jeff Conley, '93 with Tim Walker, '94 with Phil Stuetzel, '97 with Brett Carlson and '98 with Jason LeClair. An Open player for a decade, he came back to his roots in Playa del Rey and The Gillis. The most dominant player in the '90's.

Betsey has never missed a tourney since she first attended as a young babe in the late '70's. She has the highest finish in the open by a female ever at the Gillis- 5th Place, and was Queen in 1980, alongside King Dano. Her sexy costumes and fiery play continue on year after year.

Spencer

Spencer Shiffman has been coming to the Gillis since the late 80's. His highlight to us was his memorable performance as Elvis, teaming up with the flying Elvis’ at Showtime. His inspiration since being diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago has brought a whole new dimension and maturity to the Gillis. His love for the tournament and the people there has given him a goal to strive for each year. To return again is a major challenge that everyone recognizes, but look for him to beat the odds again.

Steve Davis

Steve’s ability to play at such a high level while wearing a full costume has given him the legendary status. His camps and themes, teaming up with Greg Davis, Mike Metz and Johnny O’s crew, have created Gillis memories we will never forget. Andre the Dog, The Reverend Jim Jones, the Tiki Room, Habitrail and BigBird are just some of the highlights. He was King in '87 with Queen Laura Westermeier.

Davin

Mike Davin has stolen so many showtime wins from the favorites, that he deserves Gillis Gold for all of his efforts these past 10 years. His use of props and music has brought showtime crowds to their feet. He has been in the top 3 every single year, and has won with skits like Gays in the Military, My Best Friends Wedding, The Ice Skaters and Hee Haw. A raw talent and legend of the Gillis.

 Tootie and Jonno

As a team, Tootie and Jonno have carried the Hoffy torch every year for 25 years. Jonno has more miles to the Gillis than any other participant, flying every year from Hawaii. Tootie’s hosting of the Gillis party for 4 straight years is a testament to his desire for all around him to have a great time. Their party spirit is what makes the Gillis what it is.

America's Team

Tim Thompson and Rich Blacksten started coming to the Gillis over 20 years ago and have been playing as a team for almost as many years. Tim(Tom), teaming with Neal Polaske, won the very first Homemade Trunks contest in 1980 with the bright red fur and yellow dingleballs, calling themselves The Cavemen. Tim is also the reason Coors Light has chipped in each year for 15 years. Whitey got his G in '86 with Rooster, in the dark, playing to 7 against Marc Denitz and Dave Cressman. He was King in '81 and has had the longest running nickname in Gillis History: Whitey. Both have reached legendary proportions these past 2 decades.

Sean Keefe

Sean arrived on the Gillis scene in the early '80's and the girls couldn't keep their hands off of him, crowning him King in '86 alongside Queen Diane Phair. His Costume/Showtime win in '87 with Steve Davis as Andre the Dog and Trainer, set a new standard for acts on Sunday. His ability to play on Duck with speedos and a smile got him 2 G's; one in '89 with Dan Parr, and then again in '91 with Sean Icazza. Every year he adds to his legacy.

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If you feel that some others should have been included in the Hall of Fame, let us know, and why you think so. We will give it great thought for next years silver inductees.