Feb. 2, 2005 – Darren Clarke has confirmed that he will donate the £19,437 he earned for finishing tied fourth in the South African Airways Open to the Tsunami Aid Appeal through The European Tour International Relief Golf Fund.
Clarke said: “I’m very happy to be able to contribute this sum to the Tsunami Appeal, and as a member of The European Tour I’m delighted that our organisation was swift to voice their support. Golf was placed into perspective with what happened in the Far East and I know all the members of The European Tour are doing all they can to support the fund and to encourage others to do so.”
Clarke, winner of ten European Tour titles including two World Golf Championships and three times a member of winning European Ryder Cup Teams, has requested that The European Tour International Relief Golf Fund organises for his donation to support the Muralitharan/Vaas/Gunasakera Foundation in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan cricketers have re-dedicated their foundation to helping the survivors of the Tsunami by building houses, schools and infrastructure in the worst hit regions.
Clarke became aware of their campaign through his management company, International Sports Management, which also helps with the business affairs of Murali, arguably world cricket's top spinner. The donation will help those in the worst hit areas of Sri Lanka where it is costing US$2,000 to build a new house.
George O’Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “Darren Clarke is a great supporter of charity emphasised by the Pro-Am he instigated which raised more than £350,000 for the victims of Omagh in 1998, and his strong support of The Tour Charity Support Programme including initiatives such as The European Tour Sport Relief Challenge. We thank him again for another generous contribution and for passing his cheque through The European Tour’s International Relief Golf Fund.
“Many of our Members have contributed to the International Relief Golf Fund including David Howell and Lee Westwood, both of whom, like Darren, are with Andrew Chandler’s ISM Group, and we are inviting club golfers, international golfing bodies, management agents, golf club manufacturers and tournament sponsors to contribute to the fund. Our challenge is to maintain the momentum to raise as much as we can and we are encouraging the world of golf - professionals and amateurs - to donate to the fund.”
The European Tour launched the International Relief Golf Fund with an initial donation of £50,000 and the organisation is providing a co-ordinated process for the sport to support the Aid Appeal put in place to help those whose lives have been devastated by the Tsunami.
O’Grady added: “We are working with our business partners around the world, and specifically in the Asian region where the co-sanctioned Standard Chartered Indonesian Open will be played in Jakarta on March 24-27, to determine the most beneficial ways of channelling the aid. Darren’s contribution will as requested be used to support the Muralitharan/Vaas/Gunasakera Foundation in Sri Lanka.”
Sir Michael Bonallack, the former Secretary of The Royal and Ancient and Non-Executive Director of The European Tour, is the Chairman of the International Relief Golf Fund. Cheques should be made payable to The European Tour and sent to The European Tour-International Relief Golf Fund, Wentworth Drive, Virginia Water, Surrey GU25 4LX.
You can also make a contribution by direct bank transfer. The bank account details are:
Sort Code: 20 53 30
Account Number: 40865699
IBAN: GB92 BARC 2053 3040 8656 99
Source: The PGA European Tour
