The European Tour is launching an International Relief Golf Fund with an initial donation of £50,000 and the Ladies European Tour will make a significant donation of the Tour income from the Thailand Ladies Open to take place in Bangkok at the end of March. All golf courses in the Leaderboard group – Chart Hills, The Oxfordshire, Dale Hill and Sandford Springs – are to give up two days a week during February, free of green fees to any organisation wishing to hold a golf day to raise funds. GUI is to donate €50,000
The European Tour is launching an International Relief Golf Fund with an initial donation of £50,000 to provide a co-ordinated process for the sport to support the Aid appeal for those whose lives have been devastated by the Tsunami.
Leading golf stars and club golfers, international golfing bodies and management agencies, and golf club manufacturers and tournament sponsors, are among those being invited to contribute to the fund.
George O‘Grady, executive director of The European Tour, said, “Our members have been giving individually since this appalling disaster happened and when our office re-opened following the Christmas recess they expressed the desire for a central fund to further reinforce their support.
“We have been in contact with our business partners around the world and in the Asian region, with a view to increasing the financial support that golf provides and the most beneficial way of channelling that aid.
“We believe and hope this co-ordinated fund will encourage the world of golf – professional and amateur, business and officialdom – to give more and we are receptive to any further views on fund raising initiatives. Our aim is to substantially grow the initial donation of £50,000.”
Sir Michael Bonallack will be chairman of the International Relief Golf Fund. Details for transferring donations direct to The European Tour-International Relief Golf Fund are available on The European Tour Website www.europeantour.com
The Robe di Kappa Ladies European Tour (LET) will make a significant donation of its income from the Thailand Ladies Open, scheduled to take place at the end of March at the Alpine Golf & Country Club in Bangkok.
“The LET has strong connections in the region and we feel it is our moral duty to support the Tsunami appeal” said Karen Lunn, chairman. “Our thoughts go out to the millions of people who are suffering across the region and we hope our donation will assist the enormous disaster relief operation.”
One of the worst affected countries in Europe is Sweden, where many families have been personally affected by the tragedy, with thousands of Swedes still listed as missing. Top Swedish player Carin Koch echoed these sentiments. “I fully support the initiative from the LET,” she said. “I am lucky that I have not lost anyone near to me, but I know of many people that have lost loved ones and several families from my home town are still missing.”
The DEC Tsunami Earthquake Appeal will be boosted by around £40,000 after the Leaderboard Group of golf courses offered free golf to fundraisers. All four courses within the group – Chart Hills, The Oxfordshire, Dale Hill and Sandford Springs – are already planning fundraising golf days which they anticipate will raise £20,000.
But the group’s owners, Paul and Jennifer Gibbons, have decided to go a step further in order to raise even more funds. Leaderboard golf courses are to give up two days a week during February, free of green fees, to any organisation wishing to hold a golf day to raise funds for DEC Tsunami Earthquake Appeal.
The offer is open to any company or organisation, local or national, which can put together a group of between 40 and 100 golfers for their day. All that the companies will have to pay for are food and beverages.
Paul Gibbons added, “Although we cannot help with the selling of the teams, we can offer all organisers full use of the paperwork and materials needed to facilitate the event. We hope this idea will be leapt upon, not only by fundraisers but by other golf courses who could offer their facilities in a similar way.
“Just imagine, if more golf clubs within the country became involved in this and offered their facilities in a similar way, how much more money will be raised for this worthwhile cause. It will be good for the golf industry to contribute as a unit in this manner.”
Visit www.charthills.co.uk and click on the DEC Tsunami logo to find out how to organise the day.
The Golfing Union of Ireland and its Provincial Branches will make a donation of €50,000 to the aid agencies involved in supporting the victims of the disaster. The President of the GUI, Mr Albert Lee, has written to the Captains of all 413 affiliated golf clubs suggesting they may wish to have donations from any fund-raising schemes included, and duly recognised, with the GUI donation. There is no time limit on when clubs may wish to support the Asian Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund, however the Golfing Union of Ireland will pass on its donation, and any donations received, by 11th February.