Sixteen10 and Worldwide Golf hit a hole-in-one with this year’s Swing Against Cancer Charity Golf Series, raising over $100,000 for Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) and aiding the treatment of two Dubai residents suffering from cancer, one of whom is just 2-years-old.
The inaugural Swing Against Cancer Golf Series on October 26 at Jumeirah Golf Estates was an astounding success, ending with the 5th edition of the Mike Clark Golf Day. This year, Sixteen10 and Worldwide golf together have raised over $100,000 for the Friends of Cancer Patients, with the funds being shared amongst two UAE residents in urgent need of treatment; Waleed, a 37-year-old Sundanese man, and a 2-year-old Egyptian boy with leukaemia.
A total of 88 golfers played alongside four celebrities; legendary football player and manager Harry Redknapp, England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall, ex-New Zealand Golf pro and winner of the 2005 US Open, Michael Campbell, and singer/songwriter and former Westlife star Brian McFadden. They put their skills to the test, in a friendly but intense rivalry before appearing for a fantastic evening of food, drinks and entertainment, including dinner and Q&A with the stars, a prize raffle, and prize auction, all of which added to the total amount raised.
The prizes on offer for those competing, organized by Sixteen10 and Worldwide Golf, attracted hundreds of both amateur and pro players over the course of the series, with just under 90 competing at the finale.
The Swing Against Cancer Golf Series 2017 professional winner Ryan Smith, was awarded a luxurious golf break for two at the Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa in Phuket, Thailand, while amateur winner, Christopher Smerdon, won a fantastic prize playing with some of the world’s greatest golfers in the Rolex Pro-Am for the DP World Tour Championship from November 16-19, along with hospitality at the event, a stay at the Atlantis, The Palm and a golf lesson with renowned coach to the stars, Pete Cowen, but there was a more significant reason he stepped up to the tee to compete.
Speaking after the competition Smerdon admits he has a deeper connection to the cause saying, “This means a lot to me as I played football with Mike (Clark) and I also lost my dad to bowel cancer five years ago. To have all these people here is amazing and I’m over-the-moon to win. I think Mike was definitely looking down on us today. Bless you Mike.”
Harry Redknapp enthusiastically praised the event after putting in a great performance himself on the course. “”It was a pleasure to come to such a wonderful golf course in Dubai and support this great cause,” he said, “Cancer affects so many people around the world and the more we can do to try to fight it, the better. The guys at Sixteen10 and Worldwide Golf have done a terrific job with the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series and to raise the amount of money they have is fantastic.”
Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall reiterated Redknapp’s statements, “It’s great to be a part of such a worthy cause and help out where I can. To double the money raised for the charity from last year shows the event is going from strength to strength. It’s a cause I’m looking forward to supporting again next year.”
All proceeds will be donated to the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) society and will go directly towards the treatment of two UAE residents, Waleed, a 37-year-old man suffering from rectal cancer, and a 2-year-old boy suffering from leukaemia. Waleed added, “I’d like to extend my thanks to Sixteen 10 and Worldwide Golf for their generous donations that will allow me to continue my treatment, and I hope they continue their association with FoCP, as it is has a real effect on those battling cancer and their families”
Since their inception, FoCP has delivered moral and financial support to over 1,300 patients and their families, irrespective of their nationality, gender, age, religion or ethnicity.
Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, Director General of Friends of Cancer Patients was considerably moved by the fund-raising efforts, “We were delighted to partner up with Sixteen10 and Worldwide Golf as the official beneficiary of the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series. Friends of Cancer Patients UAE (FoCP) is a non-profit organisation that is committed to providing all forms of support to cancer patients of all ages, and relies totally on donations from public and private sector organisations to support cancer care for patients. This fantastic amount of more than $100,000 will help considerably in our endeavours and we thank everyone who contributed this year for their generosity and support.”
The Swing Against Cancer Charity Golf Series 2017, launched by Sixteen10 and Worldwide Golf, followed on from the success of the Mike Clark Charity Golf Day, which over four years has raised more than US$125,000 for the Friends of Cancer Patients charity (FoCP), and over $50,000 in 2016 alone, while the 2017 edition of the Mike Clark Golf Day, coinciding with the finale of the inaugural Swing Against Cancer Golf Series has bested that again and managed to raise over $100,000. Clark, a former UAE resident, golfing enthusiast, and Jumeirah Golf Estates employee, tragically passed away from cancer aged 30 on October 16, 2012 – hence the name Sixteen10.
Rick Bevan, General Manager of WSP Global, publishers of Worldwide Golf, offered thanks to all who supported the event, “The support and enthusiasm the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series has received from the local community has been truly heart-warming. We’ve been astounded by the number of people who have wanted to help, whether by giving up their time, their expertise or by supporting the series financially. The fact that the money raised is going directly towards the treatment of individuals who really need it, is something everyone involved can be extremely proud of and we thank all those who helped us reach and surpass our target. We’re already planning the 2018 series which we hope will raise the bar even further.”
Reza Sazegar, Managing Director of Sixteen10, and good friend of Mike Clark, recalls the tragic circumstances which started the annual event and the amazing legacy it has created, “On the 16th of October 2012, a dear friend and incredible person Mike Clark lost his battle with cancer. It’s a truly rewarding experience to help others fight and beat this awful illness through the inaugural Swing Against Cancer Golf Series. Cancer affects all of us in one way or another and if we can help make even the smallest difference, it’s our duty to pull together and do something about it. This is just the start of something special and Sixteen10 are fully committed to unite a community to fight against cancer and leave a legacy for future generations.”
