Abu Dhabi: Golfing legend Gary Player’s ambitious quest to raise $100 million (Dh367m) for worldwide charities by 2020 was bolstered by the $100,000 (Dhs367,315) his pro-am in Abu Dhabi generated on Monday, it was announced on Tuesday.
An all-star cast of golf professionals and celebrities joined the 80-year-old nine-time Major winner at the ocean-front Saadiyat Beach Golf Club over two days to celebrate a Union of Golf and Giving.
Fresh from his 16th-place finish at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday, Austrian professional Bernd Wiesberger and his team featuring Christian Pertl, Stuart Deeson and Mark Rix beat ADSC 3 and ADSC 4 by four shots (21-under par) to claim victory.
The funds raised will go towards building a new sports centre for the Zayed Higher Organisation (ZHO) in the capital, which supports people with special needs.
“Golf has done more than perhaps any other sport in raising monies for worthy causes,” said Player. “The PGA Tour has surpassed $2 billion (Dhs7.35b) in charity fund-raising and our global series of events has played its part, too. I am as proud of this as any other career achievement and the special recognition in the naming of this fabulous new facility is quite humbling.”
ZHO’s Secretary General, Mohammad Al Hameli, commented: “We are very appreciative of the funds and support received from The Player Foundation, without which we would not be able to help improve the lives of individuals in the UAE with special needs. We want to continually improve our efforts and in keeping with Mr Player’s enduring commitment to promote the benefits of sport, health and wellness, the funds raised will go to benefit our new sports centre and the newly titled Gary Player Gymnasium at the Bani Yas Club.”
