Gilroy
– Jeff Garcia’s charity golf tournament had become an annual
event in the Garlic City. But for a while, it looked like it was
fated to become a subject for nostalgia.
Gilroy – Jeff Garcia’s charity golf tournament had become an annual event in the Garlic City. But for a while, it looked like it was fated to become a subject for nostalgia.
The Gilroy High and Gavilan quarterback’s NFL career was uncertain after his release by the Cleveland Browns earlier this year, and while he scrambled to find a job, the golf tournament was put on hold.
What a difference a few months make.
Now Garcia is sparking a quarterback controversy in Detroit and his annual golf event is very much back on, if a bit downsized.
The Jeff Garcia Invitational Golf Tournament will take place at Gilroy Golf Course on Saturday, June 25. For the $125 entry fee, golfers will get to take part in a six-person scramble event, topped off with a tri-tip and chicken dinner and a variety of prizes.
“It’s not going to be like it’s been in the past,” said the quarterback’s father, Bobby Garcia. “This is going to be a little fundraiser for Gavilan and the high school. They can use the bucks, and consequently it’s going to go on.”
The event won’t have corporate sponsors or raise the hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity it has in past years. It will be managed by Gilroy High and Gavilan College head football coaches Darren Yafai and John Lango, with all proceeds going to assist those schools’ football programs.
Lango was thrilled to be a part of the event.
“Bobby called us and said Jeff wanted to do the tournament,” Lango said. “Jeff asked if Darren and I would run the show. It’s a great fundraiser for the football programs, it’ll be the third time he’s put it on to give back to the community. He’s very generous.”
Will there be celebrities playing as there have been in past years?
Bobby Garcia hadn’t got any promises, but mentioned San Francisco 49ers Eric Johnson and Tim Rattay as possible attendees. A visit by Bay Area legend Joe Kapp might be in the cards as well, Garcia said.
One celebrity who will definitely show up is Jeff Garcia himself, and his father said locals were already calling him for details on how to sign up.
“We’ve got room for 106 to 109 golfers and six teams have already contacted me,” said Bobby Garcia.
“And I’m not even the one running this thing!”
For more information, contact co-chairs Darren Yafai at 847-3340 and John Lango at 848-4875.
