Bears kicker Robbie Gould hosted a celebrity golf tournament Monday at Conway Farms Golf Club to raise money for his foundation, The Goulden Touch.
Gould established his charitable organization in 2011 to help those in need. Making donations in the areas of education, medical research, health and wellness, and social services across all age, gender, and racial lines, the core belief of The Goulden Touch is to balance the exceptional importance of giving to others while making fundraising enjoyable.
"I can't give back as much as my fans have given to me and what football has been able to give me, so this is kind of my way to give back to people," Gould said. "What we do is give to those in need. And we try to make it as fun as possible and create an experience for people always to come back and want to come back."
Those who attended the third annual Robbie Gould Celebrity Invitational included Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk, 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey champion Mike Eruzione, Northwestern basketball coach Chris Collins, former Bulls center Bill Wennington and former baseball stars Kenny Lofton, Joe Carter, Bret Saberhagen and Mark Grudzielanek.
Former Bears who attended the event included Patrick Mannelly, Jim McMahon, Kevin Butler, Jim Covert, Jay Hilgenberg and Chris Chandler.
One of celebrity golf's most popular events, the Robbie Gould Celebrity Invitational has successfully raised over $300,000 to date for Chicagoland charities.
Funds generated Monday will benefit a Ronald McDonald House that's scheduled to open in 2015 across the street from Central DuPage Hospital. The House will provide a home away from home for the families of children being treated at the hospital and other nearby facilities.
The House will include 12 private bedrooms and bathrooms, along with a communal living room, kitchen, dining room, recreational spaces and laundry facilities.
"It's a great cause," Wennington said. "[Gould is] doing something for people in Chicago, trying to help out with the Ronald McDonald House in the area. It's always good to give back to the community, especially where you live and you could see the direct results right away. Robbie does a phenomenal job, and it's just fun to be out here and support his cause."
