Victorino assists Alzheimer's benefit
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
MAKENA, Maui — The major league baseball season might be over, but Maui's own Shane Victorino continues to deliver in the clutch.
Around 160 took part in the Shane Victorino's A Round to Remember golf tournament that benefitted the Alzheimer's Association Aloha Chapter yesterday at the Maui Prince Makena Resort's North Course.
The Philadelphia Phillies Gold Glove center fielder said his maternal grandmother, Olive Nakahashi, who passed away in 2001, suffered from Alzheimer's. She is the reason he chose to support the organization.
"It's great to see the finished product," Victorino said of the tournament. "It's a dream come true. Everybody's excited."
Organizers said there was a waiting list for those who wanted to participate in the celebrity tournament.
"It's great," said Victorino, who wants to make this an annual affair. "Hopefully, there will be many more years to come, where we can have more of these and keep making it bigger and bigger."
Besides Victorino, other celebrity players included his Phillies teammates, shortstop Jimmy Rollins and first baseman Ryan Howard, as well as Oakland Athletics catcher Kurt Suzuki (Baldwin) and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Brandon League (Saint Louis). Other pros who participated were independent league infielder Keoni DeRenne ('Iolani) and minor league pitcher Shane Komine (Kalani).
"Any time anybody gives back to the community like Shane, it's awesome," fellow Maui-raised player Suzuki said. "It's just a start, I guess. Hopefully, he can keep it going."
"He's a very giving guy," Howard said of Victorino. "He's got a big heart."
Other celebrities with local ties were College Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Tatsuno, pro golfer Tadd Fujikawa and news anchor Howard Dashefsky.
Shane's father, Maui councilman Michael Victorino, also took part.
ESPN anchor Neil Everett, formerly of Channel 9, served as the master of ceremonies for the event, which included a dinner after the tournament.
Organizers hoped to raise at least $75,000.
Aloha chapter board president Chris Shirai said some 28,000 people in Hawai'i suffer from Alzheimer's — a neurological illness that affects older adults. He said 1 of 8 people 65 years and older have Alzheimer's and the ratio increases to 1 in 2 by age 85. He said this was the chapter's biggest fund-raiser.
Aloha Chapter office manager Arlene Ige said Victorino notified the organization during the summer about the benefit. She said Victorino's exposure during the World Series generated more interest in participants.
Waste Management was the title sponsor of the event. The Beverly Hills Sports Council, which represent a number of Hawai'i pro baseball players, including Victorino, also helped.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.