Some of golf’s most recognisable world stars took part in the inaugural PowerPlay Golf event at The Celtic Manor Resort last month, as the innovative 2-flag nine-hole format was unveiled to a global TV audience. Following the invigorating competition captured live in 30 countries, the stellar line-up which included legend Gary Player; 2010 US Open Champions Graeme McDowell and Paula Creamer; and Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, all selected a personal charity to benefit from the event. In addition some of the players made substantial contributions from their prize money to their respective National Golf Union or Federation, which resulted in a grand total of £158,000 of donations made on the day.
PPG supports 15 charities
PowerPlay Golf’s contribution included £10,000 each to the three official Ignition event charities: The British Lung Foundation, Help For Heroes, and Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, the latter being proposed by Sir Ian Botham. Plus each Ignition competitor named a personal charity, with PowerPlay Golf donating a total of £35,000 (an amount equivalent to 10% of each player’s winnings) to the players’ twelve nominated charities.
Financial boost from star players for grass roots golf
Four of the competitors donated a combined total of £93,000 to their national golf unions, in recognition of the support they received throughout their amateur careers. Paul Casey donated £20,000 to The English Golf Union, and Caroline Hedwall, Victor Dubuisson and Max Kieffer each donated 50% of their winnings to the Swedish, French and German Golf Federations respectively.
“We share a similar goal with many of the golf’s governing bodies in hoping to attract new people to the sport and then keeping them engaged in the long term” commented PowerPlay Golf Executive Director, Peter McEvoy OBE.
“The tour players that competed in Ignition are excited by the format and can see the potential for PowerPlay Golf to work closely with national federations to grow the game on a global level. The donations made by Paul, Caroline, Victor and Max in particular, demonstrate the appreciation many of these professionals have for the organisations that supported their early development.”
Future Plans
After the success of PowerPlay Golf driven by Saab: Ignition won by rising LET star Caroline Hedwall, PowerPlay Golf is taking its Tour pro series to two further continents – Asia and North America later in 2011. As with Ignition, both events will feature an eclectic twelve-person field of male and female Tour stars of all ages. For the latest details see the website at www.powerplay-golf.com