ABU DHABI, UAE, 24 January 2011: Ryder Cup Vice Captain Thomas Bjorn was thrilled after celebrating his team’s win at the Saadiyat Beach Classic charity Pro-Am tournament held at the Gary Player designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, the Middle East’s first beach front golf course.
‘”What a special event and what a special day – this really brings out the best in golf and people. The combination of a stunning golf course in perfect condition, beautiful weather and three very worthy causes at the heart of the event, certainly help us raise our games to the challenge. Hopefully we can come back next year as a team and defend our title and raise more money for charity!’ he said.
Golf legend and tournament host Gary Player, said:
“It’s an absolute joy to be back in Abu Dhabi for an event and golf course that is so close to my heart. Without a doubt the true spirit of golf and those values of sporting friendship which make golf such a special game are on show today as familiar faces from around the world enjoy yet another memorable occasion.
“Regardless of the scores on such a picture perfect golfing day, we are all reminded that we are the fortunate ones in life. The real winners are the worthy causes and the children who will benefit from the funds raised.”
The event now in its second year attracted a fantastic field including world number 9 Paul Casey, world number 12 Ian Poulter, Italian sensation Matteo Manessero, winning Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie and European ladies tour stars Henrietta Zuel and Carly Booth . Rugby legends Victor Matfield, Gavin Hastings, ZinZan Brooke and former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke also competed in the unique event that invites amateurs from around the UAE to compete alongside the headline players.
Hosted by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of tourism, cultural, and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, and Gary Player, the tournament saw eighteen teams led by a number of the world’s most recognizable golfing and sporting celebrities enjoy a Pro-Am tournament to raise money and awareness for local and international children’s charities.
Mubarak Al Muhairi, Managing Director, TDIC, commented:
“It is a joy to see some of the world’s best players fight it out alongside local players at the Saadiyat Beach Classic, now a prestigious occasion in Abu Dhabi’s sporting and social calendar. This year’s event follows on the fantastic success of last year and so we look forward to raising even more funds for this year’s selected charities: Emirates Autism Centre and Ability Center for Special Needs, as well as The Player Foundation.”
The key aim of the tournament is to make a real difference to the lives of many children, whilst at the same time offering golfers and spectators the unique opportunity to rub shoulders with icons of sport and entertainment. Following the day of golfing action, all players enjoyed a charity gala dinner at the stunning Emirates Palace entertained by a range of local and international entertainment, plus live and silent auctions to raise much needed funds to ensure that children in Abu Dhabi benefit directly.
Some of the luxury items auctioned include a Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Annual Passport for 2011, three specially commissioned art pieces including a piece by Rokni Haerizadeh, a couture dress made to measure by esteemed designer, Rami Al Ali, a Tiger Woods autographed personal Nike driver, a Phillippe Tournaire ‘Palace’ ring with diamonds, as well as a unique South African experience by the Gary Player Group.
Managed by Troon Golf, the world’s largest golf management company, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club was developed by TDIC and is the flagship sports facility on Saadiyat Beach, a destination that is set to become a magnet for high-end visitors and residents due to its host of exclusive and stylish 5-star resorts.
About The Player Foundation
Over 25 years ago, the Player family established The Player Foundation in order to provide quality education, nutrition, medical care and sports activities to the less fortunate children living in rural areas outside Johannesburg, South Africa.
Today, through Black Knight’s four annual Gary Player Invitational (GPI) series of charity events staged in the USA, China, Europe and South Africa, the Foundation has expanded its efforts to bring hope, help and healing to impoverished communities around the world. The foundation has risen over $35 million globally, trying to make a difference for impoverished children. By partnering with local charities where GPI events are held, The Player Foundation has been able to make a real change in the lives of children through health and education initiatives.
Gary Player has always felt very strongly that we must look after our youth in order to ensure a positive future. What thus began as a small vision to educate a handful of children on Mr. Player’s farm outside Johannesburg, has now grown to support partner schools, as well as HIV orphans and crime-stricken communities in China, Europe and the USA.
Each year Black Knight International, in conjunction with The Player Foundation, manages and runs a series of prestigious golf events across the globe to raise funds for charity – the primary beneficiary being children’s causes.
Established in 1983, The Player Foundation operates as a 501 C (3) non-profit organization out of Palm Beach, Florida in the USA.
For further information, contact Debbie Longenecker, The Player Foundation at Debbie@garyplayer.com or +1 561 624 0600 or visit www.garyplayerfoundation.org.
About Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC)
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) is a master developer of major tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, and a key contributor to its economic and cultural progress.
TDIC is behind some of Abu Dhabi’s most prestigious projects including two major destinations – Saadiyat, a natural island off the coast of Abu Dhabi, which will house the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural institutions including the Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi, a performing arts centre and maritime museum, and Desert Islands, which will be one of the world’s largest environmentally sustainable tourism destinations.
By creating investment partnerships and joint ventures, TDIC’s developments are helping to support Abu Dhabi’s evolution into a world class destination for tourists, businesses and residents, and helping to realise the emirate’s considerable tourism potential and strategic goal of delivering 2.3 million hotel guests by the end of 2012.
TDIC has been awarded high investment grade ratings of A1, AA, and AA by three top credit rating agencies, Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch. These ratings reflect TDIC’s strong financial position and support the company’s credit worthiness to investors, lenders and other market participants. In July 2009, TDIC also launched a US$ 1 billion bond, which represented the inaugural issuance under the US$ 3 billion Global Medium Term Note (GMTN) programme. The same year, TDIC issued its inaugural US$1 billion five-year sukuk, which was the largest in the GCC for that year.
Established in April 2006, TDIC has built a strong reputation among international industry players for its compelling value proposition, transparency of business approach and ability to deliver. Locally, TDIC offers significant employment and vocational training opportunities for Emiratis keen to enhance their careers and professional qualifications.
For further information visit www.tdic.ae.
Contact:
Guy DeSilva
Media Director, Black Knight International
+1 561 624 0300 x642
guy@garyplayer.com
