Not even Mother Nature
’s most intense April “showers” could spoil all the excitement
generated by Friday’s first-annual Jeff Garcia Golf Classic at
Eagle Ridge Golf Course – which grossed an estimated $100,000 for
the Gilroy High and Gavilan College football programs as well as
the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Not even Mother Nature’s most intense April “showers” could spoil all the excitement generated by Friday’s first-annual Jeff Garcia Golf Classic at Eagle Ridge Golf Course – which grossed an estimated $100,000 for the Gilroy High and Gavilan College football programs as well as the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“It was more than I expected,” said Frank Filice, co-chair to the tournament committee. “It was really fantastic. I never dreamed we would raise that much money in the first year. It was phenomenal. The weather was against us – but, all in all, it was a great day. Everyone had a great time.”
It was a glorious time indeed, no matter the conditions, for the entire Gilroy community where Jeff Garcia – the 49ers’ two-time Pro Bowl star quarterback – was born and raised.
Play had to be suspended for a brief time as well as hail covered the fairways and greens with white ice balls. Golfers did not seem to mind the short-lived storm – as some made snowballs and tossed the around in good fun. Once the dumping was over, the golfers returned to the course to finish out the fun-filled afternoon.
Almost two years in the making, the first Jeff Garcia Golf Classic was a big hit as local businessmen and community members joined forces to put on the fundraising event in grand fashion – South County style.
“We’ve talked about for a number of years of doing something down here. Gavilan College has its little tournament and the high school has one also,” said Bobby Garcia, Jeff’s father and committee co-chair. “We decided to take some time, make it first class, put together a format that people would look at and say, ‘I want to be part of this thing.’
“If we’re going to do it, let’s also raise some money,” added the longtime Gilroy resident. “Let’s go the first year and benefit Gavilan and Gilroy High School because Jeff was part of those programs and he wanted to give back to those programs. Then, I thought the other good thing was to bring in the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”
Play had to be suspended for a brief time because of some heavy rains – but once the storm passed, the golfers returned to the course to finish out the fun-filled afternoon. Golf was only part of the all-day event as a special dinner banquet at Eagle Ridge along with auctions of Jeff Garcia sports memorabilia finished off the festivities.
