Jeff Garcia drove into Gilroy the morning of Friday’s 2nd Annual
Jeff Garcia Open at Eagle Ridge Golf Course and all the fond
memories of his hometown danced through his head.
GILROY –– Jeff Garcia drove into Gilroy the morning of Friday’s 2nd Annual Jeff Garcia Open at Eagle Ridge Golf Course and all the fond memories of his hometown danced through his head.
Sure he had been home a couple of times before since leaving for Cleveland – once to attend a cousin’s wedding and another to surprise his mom, Linda, on mother’s day. But this was his time to get re-acquainted with old friends and the local community that has always supported him.
“It’s nice to come home,” said Garcia, decked out in Cleveland Browns apparel. “Just driving into Gilroy this morning, reminded me of what a great place Gilroy is. I’m comfortable here because the people are so appreciative and grateful for what I’ve been able to accomplish. They treat me as if I’m their son.”
Garcia is and will always be Gilroy’s native son. That’s why even though he was thousands of miles away trying to get settled in his new environment it was a must he return.
“It’s a great comfort to be here,” said Garcia before stepping out of the clubhouse to play a fun round of golf and give something back to Gilroy. “I just have so much pride in where I grew up and where I was raised.”
This year’s Garcia Open not only benefited his two alma maters’ football programs at Gilroy High School and Gavilan College, but also spread the funds to the St. Joseph’s Family Center and The Make a Wish Foundation. It also sets up a Gilroy Community and Youth Scholarship to help kids who cannot afford registration fees for recreational leagues and camps.
“This year more than any other the support of this event is incredible for the college,” Gavilan College Athletic Director Ron Hannon said. “Jeff’s generosity is just great. This is a really neat event. The majority of the people are local and they come out and support our two programs.”
The first annual tournament raised $22,000 for Gavilan College, which spent a majority of the money on upgrading their electronic equipment to review game films.
“This year we don’t know how much money will be getting so we don’t know where it will go, but we have equipment needs, uniform needs and travel needs,” Hannon said.
Garcia played for his father, Bobby, at Gavilan College and won bowl game for the Rams.
“The program has seen its share of great athletes come through and be successful,” said Hannon, including Niners linebacker Jeff Ulbrich and former Niner Rhett Hall, both out of Live Oak. “(Jeff) is committed to helping out our programs.”
The Gilroy High football program also benefited from the tournament last year and needs the extra funds more than ever with district-wide budget cuts effecting the athletic department.
“It’s extremely important to us,” said Gilroy High Athletic Director Jack Daley, who is an annual volunteer. “I’m not surprised at all that he made it work this year. He’s a unique guy. He doesn’t forget where he came from.”
With all that has happened in the offseason, especially a move to Cleveland, there was no doubt that Garcia would be back in Gilroy, helping out his community.
“I think this is definitely something I’m interested in continuing,” said Garcia, who wanted to thank the tournament committee and volunteers who made it possible. “We’ve got a great team of people who make something like this happen. The people involved do an outstanding job. I would not be here without their contributions.”
Event Chair Frank Filice led monthly meetings, which became weekly as the day grew closer, four months in advance. The list of organizers included co-chair Noreen Zanella; sponsorship chair Katherine Filice; sponsorship co-chair Bobby Garcia, Jeff’s father; and numerous others.
“The committee worked hard and put in a lot of man hours. A lot of time and effort was put in so they deserve a lot of credit. My volunteer group is fantastic,” Filice said. “Thanks to all those who sponsored the tournament and made it what it is with their generosity.”
For the second straight year, there was both a silent and a live auction of great prizes. Silent auction items included a collection of Jeff Garcia autographed 8 x 10 photos featuring highlights of his career with the Calgary Stampeders, San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns; an autographed Calgary Stampeders helmet; an autographed Lebron James jersey; and four tickets to a Giants game with VIP parking and a $200 certificate at the Gilroy Grill.
Live auction items included autographed photo of former Niner greats Roger Craig, Joe Montana and Jerry Rice; a booster trip to the Cleveland Browns opening game; a Barry Bonds autographed bat; a Super Bowl 29 Jerry Rice autographed football and jersey; and a Jeff Garcia autographed Cleveland Browns jersey and helmet.
Celebrities attending this year’s event were Niner quarterback Ken Dorsey; former Niner Rhett Hall who went to Live Oak High School; Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Kapp; former California Angels/Houston Astros pitcher Frank LaCorte; and defensive end Bryant Young.
But the man who makes the tournament is Garcia, who had three Pro Bowl seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before he parted ways and landed in Cleveland.
“I’m getting acclimated. It’s definitely not the West Coast. Most of it is the same as here because the organization has a tremendous amount of pride and a strong will and passion and desire to be the best,” Garcia said. “With the coaching staff and all my teammates, it’s been an easy transition.”
Garcia, who is honest about his sub-par golf game, got in a practice round at the Cleveland Browns golf tournament earlier in the week.
“I was horrible. I try to come out with a good attitude, but after a while my competitive spirit takes over and it’s frustrating,” Garcia said. “But you have to just have a good time and enjoy the day.”
It was a beautiful day in Gilroy with the sun shining bright for Friday’s event, which was completely unlike last year’s tournament day that started with light drizzle that turned into a hail storm.
“We were blessed with good weather and the event filled up as usual,” Filice said. “Everyone wants to come out and see him, see how things are going in Cleveland.”
People like John Garcia, a football coach of 33 years who coached Jeff under Bobby at Gavilan College.
“He never forgets the community. That’s the type of guy Jeff is,” John Garcia said. “This is Jeff giving back to the community where he started.”
Garcia started playing football in the Gilroy PAL Youth League, which is now Pop Warner. It is fitting that the youth program – the Gilroy Browns – now shares the same name as Garcia’s new team.
“There’s kind of a hidden connection. All the kids who play in Gilroy are already wearing Browns colors so it’s an easy transition for them,” Jeff Garcia said. “Obviously, things have changed and who knows if it will be for the better. I’ll miss playing in San Francisco and having the local support and being close to my hometown.”
His trip back from Cleveland is not just for the golf tournament, as Garcia will host the first annual Jeff Garcia Youth Football Instructional Camp on Tuesday and Wednesday at Valley Christian High School in San Jose.
“I’m pretty busy, but these are the things I’m excited about,” said Garcia, who will be joined by Jeff Ulbrich, Rhett Hall, Steve Bono, Kevan Barlow and Cedric Wilson. “This event helps the local community and the football camp is reaching out to the young kids.”
