Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL HomeShane Victorino returns home to participate in charity tournament

Shane Victorino returns home to participate in charity tournament

By Jason Tang - bio | email

HONOLULU (KHNL) - He's a World Series champion, a Gold Glove centerfielder and come this Saturday, he'll play host at the first ever Shane Victorino "A Round to Remember" charity golf tournament.

He calls it an experience of a lifetime.

But like so many other success stories, this one almost didn't get off the ground.

"I remember one day in particular I was in Tennessee and I was walking home and I was frustrated, I just got sent down from triple A to double A and I told my Dad, I think I'm done, I don't think I want to play anymore," said Victorino.

His father quickly reminded Shane of his goal to play in the major leagues. The rest is history.

Now, Shane wants to spread the same message of making goals and experiencing life to other kids, especially those right here in the islands.

"When you get the opportunity, go," Victorino said.  "I think a lot of kids here in Hawaii want to stay close to home, when you get the opportunity to go, go ahead and excel in your career in your goals, I think you need to take the opportunity, study hard set your goals high and go after your goals."

Victorino returns to the islands as the pride of Maui, and he's ready to give back to the community that helped him become the man he is. On Saturday he'll host a charity golf tournament to benefit the Alzheimer's Association, the same illness that took the life of his grandma.

"When I first started talking about doing something like this I wanted to hit something close to home. Now being able to give back to something close to home, with my family suffering from it, and to try find a cure."

Participants in the tournament include Phillies teammates Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard as well as Baldwin High School grad Kurt Suzuki.

During his time in the islands, Victorino says he'll enjoy the weather, and the local grinds.