DSC plans golf event to raise Dh200,000 for Haiti

Dubai Sports City (DSC) hopes to raise more than Dh200,000 for Haiti earthquake victims with the help of celebrities including Andrew Flintoff and Ernie Els.

The company is hosting a special golf fundraiser, auction and afternoon family day on February 27 at The Els Club with Andrew Flintoff attending to support their efforts. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the UAE Red Crescent's Haiti Relief Programme.

Thomas Rubi, General Manager, Hospitality, Leisure and Golf at DSC, told Emirates Business: "Dubai Sports City is a strong supporter of local charities, and over the past several years the company has donated funds for the Dubai Cares campaign and the Dubai and Sharjah autism centres with the Ernie Els Charity Challenge and Charity Bazaar.

"In addition, Manchester United Soccer Schools, operated by Dubai Sports City, supports children with learning disabilities through a number of local organisations every Ramadan.

"With the support from Dubai Sports City and its partners, we felt that staging this event would help bring the local community together to raise funds and show our support for those in need, following the tragedy that struck Haiti," said Rubi.

DSC hopes to raise at least Dh200,000 from the event and thus have lined up an array of fundraising activities. The charity golf event will see 144 amateur golfers compete for sponsor-donated prizes, followed by an afternoon family day open to the public and an auction. Rubi said: "We will auction signed prints from Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Andrew Flintoff. We are working with the manager of Ernie Els to secure some very special items that will be auctioned at the fundraiser.

"There will also be a golfing package to the US up for grabs, two business class flights with Emirates airline, a lesson with Butch Harmon at his Las Vegas golf school and rounds of golf at various Troon facilities in Las Vegas."

However, the biggest draw of the day will be the presence of Flintoff and family. "I spend a lot of time in Dubai and it is great to see the local community joining together to help raise funds for those suffering in Haiti. I'm delighted to be able to lend my support to such a worthy cause,"?Flintoff said.

The event is open to all amateur golfers, with shotgun starting at 7am and 1pm.

People can register at elsclubdubai.com or by calling 04 425 1000.

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