gmhTODAY 30 gmhTODAY April June 2020s | Page 114

Don DeLorenzo it's your SWING Don has been the PGA General Manager of Gilroy Golf Course since 1985. He is a former winner of the Bill Stausbaugh award given by the PGA of America for excellence in education. He was named the 2014 Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and was born and raised in Gilroy. Golf…the Game that Touches Community W hy do you chase that silly white ball? How many golf- ers have been asked that question? If I had a dollar for every time I was asked that, I would be a very rich man. But the real answer to that question is far deeper than the “obvious” answer. Most people say that it’s a great way to exercise and spend time with friends. Others will say it’s the way the game grabs you and won’t let go as you seek that perfect drive or putt and the impos- sible perfect round. Still others enjoy the game for the beautiful places it can take you; from the beaches of Hawaii to the shores of Florida and everywhere in between. It always amazes me when a non-golfer tells me how much they enjoy watching golf on TV for the beauty of the golf courses and the awe-inspiring talent of the golfers. I have come to realize that I really enjoy this great game for what it can do to inspire youth, and to help individuals and communities and raise funds for needy programs. I don’t believe that there is a sport around that has this vehi- cle in which to reach out to the masses of people to participate in tournaments and volunteer at events to help benefit local communities the way golf does. Let’s start locally. The First Tee of Silicon Valley is a national organization that, luckily for us, has a program loca- tion at Gavilan College Golf Course. The TFTSV teaches golf and life skills to youth ages 5-17 to better prepare them for real-life situations. Their “Nine Core Values” are integrated into golf lessons to teach youth positive values while con- necting them with golf, school and fam- ily. Hundreds of youth from the South County have participated in the program at Gavilan College GC since its inception some eight years ago. Gilroy has ben- efitted from it by producing responsible children who statistically do well in school. Currently, both Christopher and Gilroy High Schools have student ath- letes who have either gone through the program as students or as volunteers. You can’t talk about golf in the com- munity without bringing up the fundrais- ing aspect. Charity golf tournaments have—either in the past, present or future—contributed to the operating budgets of many service organizations, non-profits and school clubs or teams. I have worked with many people who have used golf as a way to raise funds and bring people together for a great cause. It is this aspect of golf that is often overlooked. This is a benefit of the game that touches so many people whether you know it or not. Case in point, for over 30 years, the City of Gilroy Therapeutics Recreation hosted a tournament that was called simply “Special Friends.” This tourna- ment was vital in raising funds for the developmentally disabled after the “Special Olympics” moved out of Gilroy. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing one of the clients who thanked the tournament participants for playing and donating because it helped fund a yearly camp program. Without this golf tournament, who knows how the needs of that pro- gram would have been served. So if you have a friend, child, or relative with these needs, chances are that golf has touched them. A small sampling of organizations that are hosting golf events for great causes includes: “Tee Off for Cops and Kids,” a local event benefitting the Gilroy Police Officer’s Association and its pro- grams that benefit the youth of Gilroy; the Gilroy High School Athletic Association; the American Legion; Gavilan College Baseball; Live Oak Baseball. If you have someone who benefits from these organi- zations or teams, golf touches you. WESTERN GETAWAYS In the past, St. Josephs Family Center has hosted an event to help the multi- tude of families that need assistance, golf touches them. This past year after the Garlic Festival shooting, the Gilroy Sportsman Chefs hosted a tournament to aid the victims of the tragedy, golf touched them. Or how about “Air for Paws” a non-profit that uses a golf tour- nament to raise money to ensure that defibrillators for dogs are on the engines of first responders. Golf touches the pets and their owners. Operation Freedom Paws is an organization that trains service animals and pairs them with needy vet- erans. They have had several successful golf tournaments to help fund their pro- gram. Golf has touched them and their veteran clients. Many families have set up tourna- ments to raise money for a relative, child or loved one that is suffering from a disease and requires special care, golf touches them. Or the loved one who has passed away and loved the game of golf so much the family wants their memory to live on in a form of a schol- arship from the proceeds made at that tournament, golf touches the family and the recipient. On a broader scale we have all heard of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Did you know that last year this golf event handed out over 15 million…(yes that's million with an M) dollars to local charities in the area. So there’s little doubt that you know someone that is connected to a charity that has benefitted. As you can see, golf is much more than hitting a golf ball into a hole in the ground with a long stick. So the next time you see a golfer, ask them, “Why do you chase that silly white ball around?” The answer may surprise you because it’s purpose can be so much more than just a game. Golf is great …….come out and play it! 114 GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SPRING 2020 gmhtoday.com GOLF