FAIRFIELD — Former NFL standout and Fairfield native Desmond Bishop lives by the scripture in Luke 12:48: “To whom much is given, much is required.”
Bishop has spent the bulk of his years after retirement helping disadvantaged youth in the community through his foundation, which he started in 2012. That work will continue June 16 when he hosts his fourth Celebrity Golf Tournament for Solano Youth at the Yocha Dehe Golf Club in Brooks.
“With my experiences in sports and life, I feel like I have a lot to give to youth,” Bishop said. “I’m just trying to help our community. I appreciate the people and the sponsors that are involved.”
The tournament is filling up fast but as of Friday there was room for up to four more foursomes. All golfers receive a golf cart equipped with GPS and a USB outlet, breakfast, on-course refreshments, lunch and beverages.
After the tournament, golfers will be treated to a nacho bar, prizes awarded to winners, and have a chance to ask the NFL pros a question at the Q&A session. Celebrities include former Cal teammates of Bishop, some who have had NFL experience, and other friends.
There will be no shortage of entertainment with the return of the “Longest Lefty in the World,” Dan “Smackintosh” McIntosh. The professional hockey player turned professional long drive champion has been dubbed “The Real Life Happy Gilmore.”
The Launching Fore Charity’s golf ball shooting cannon returns. The “Hole Hecklers,” a comedy duo, will move throughout the course offering participants some friendly ribbing.
The tournament benefits the My Friend’s House and Youth Rising program, which provides outreach for “at-promise” youth to support and help them from becoming victims of drugs, street gangs, sex trafficking or jail. My Friend’s House is managed by Vacaville Solano Services Corp., which also operates the Opportunity House Homeless Shelter.
The Desmond Bishop Foundation also benefits from the event. It helps raise money so youth can attend fitness training, sports camps and receive mentorship. The foundation is currently working toward its goal of opening a youth-focused sports and fitness facility.
Sponsorships are available and can include completing a foursome with a celebrity golfer, autographed jerseys, autographed footballs, football memorabilia, dinner with the pros, a suite at the Cache Creek Resort and more. For more information, send an email to Colleen Berumen at cberumen@vsscrop.org or call her at 707-447-1988.
Bishop remains Fairfield High School’s all-time leading rusher, but he really made his mark on defense. After playing at City College of San Francisco and at Cal, Bishop was drafted in 2007 by the Green Bay Packers. He went on to play in Super Bowl XLV and also had contracts with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers and the Washington football team, now the Commanders.
Bishop has coached football at the college and high school level. He now would like to eventually work with youth.
“I’m not really sure what my next challenge will be,” Bishop said. “I’d like to focus on younger ages, maybe Pop Warner. We’re also trying to build a youth center and that will take a lot of my focus.”
Golf registration and sponsorship experiences can be secured online at celebritygolf4solanoyouth.org.
“I’m not very good,” Bishop said of his golf game. “I wish I had picked another sport to compete in, but I enjoy it and do the best I can. We go out and have a good time.”
Via: dailyrepublic.com
