Former Manchester United midfield ace Lee Sharpe proved that he is as classy and entertaining off the football pitch as he was on it when he joined the fun and fundraising at the recent sold out DSA Open at Emirates Golf Club to help raise over US$30,000 for the Friends of Cancer Patients charity.
The event, part of the increasingly popular DHL Swing Against Cancer Golf Series, saw a full field of 120 golfers take to the famous Majlis course for a day of golfing action before ‘Sharpie’ regaled 190 dinner guests with hilarious tales from his days playing for Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering side of the 1990s when he was treated to the legendary manager’s ‘hairdryer’ treatment on more than one occasion. As well as being an unforgettable occasion for all who attended, the event, organised by Worldwide Golf and Sixteen10, had a serious goal in raising money for charity partner Friends of Cancer Patients which will go directly to the treatment of four year old local resident Mohamed Sameer Abdullah who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.
“It is always nice to get involved in a good cause,” said Sharpe who was one of the most exciting talents of a Man Utd side that won two consecutive Premier League and FA Cup ‘doubles’ 1992-93 and 1993-94. “Young Mohamed is struggling with cancer so we’re trying to raise some money to get him well, and I don’t think there is any better way than to get a load of guys and girls together to have an enjoyable day followed by a lovely evening of good food and entertainment.”
.@Sharpeyofficial giving it a good whack during the Longest Drive competition 🏌️♂️@golfsuperstore1 will be giving out a Titleist Driver to the winner 👊 @DSAarchitects pic.twitter.com/HJsq6KvjNa
— Swing Against Cancer Golf Series (@sacgolfseries) September 13, 2018
Started in 2017, the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series has gone from strength to strength and has already seen a veritable Who’s Who from the worlds of sports and entertainment show their support including Harry Redknapp, Teddy Sheringham, Gary McAllister, Dietmar Hamann (football); Mike Tindall (rugby), Michael Campbell (golf), Brian McFadden (former Westlife singer). Last year, the series raised US$100,000 and with over US$55,000 raised from May’s DHL Open at DP World Tour Championship venue Jumeirah Golf Estates and last week’s DSA Open at the home of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the 2018 DHL Swing Against Cancer Golf Series is already well on the way to topping that phenomenal total.
As well as capturing the imagination of the UAE’s golf and sport lovers, who have turned out in increasing numbers to participate and take part in the auctions and raffles or simply to donate time or funds, the success of the series has been down in no small part to the support of its partners, key among which are series sponsor DHL and Platinum partner DSA Architects.
“It was an amazing turnout for this great charity event!” said DSA Architects Managing Director Steve Kelshaw. “As a corporate entity, we have a responsibility to create something that we really believe in and to have this level of interest and support have been overwhelming.
How about that for a backdrop?! 😍#SwingAgainstCancer #DHL@EmiratesGC pic.twitter.com/My297BWqOR
— Swing Against Cancer Golf Series (@sacgolfseries) September 13, 2018
“Dubai is our home, we have been here for 25 years and we feel that we should give back. Cancer plagues all societies and it has touched everybody throughout the years so for us it is the right charity for us, it is in our own backyard and we are playing a game that we love so it’s a no brainer.
“Having Lee here was great for us, when we asked him to come over he accepted in a heartbeat, he would not even question it, which is a testament to the guy so we are delighted that he came through.”
In addition to the headline partners, many local businesses lent their support to the DSA Open by sponsoring one of the holes on the Majlis course: Crowngate International, Technical Access Services, WME Consultants (two holes), Prosperity, Afridi & Angell, S&T Interiors and Contracting and CoxGomyl and Accor Hotels, while Golf Superstore provided shirts for all the golfers and a multitude of companies donated items for the evening auction, raffle and various side games including a ‘footgolf’ challenge.
Sixteen10’s Managing Director, Reza Sazegar said: “The support we have received from the local business community is truly humbling and each and every person who has lent their support is making a difference to the life of Mohamed who badly needs treatment. These funds could change his life so thank you so much to everyone involved.”
What a day we’ve had at the @DSAarchitects Open! 👌@Sharpeyofficial has had the crowd in stitches this evening! 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/sdiDiu1zHw
— Worldwide Golf (@WorldwideGolf) September 13, 2018
Worldwide Golf’s Rick Bevan added: “These events just keep getting bigger and better and our local partners are really hands on – helping to engage hole sponsors, get raffle prizes and auction donations – so we’re incredibly fortunate and grateful to have them. Lee Sharpe was an absolute legend and had us all in stiches laughing at his stories so it was a really great day and to raise the amount of money we did was wonderful.”
The DHL Swing Against Cancer Golf Series culminates in the Grand Final which runs alongside the Mike Clark Golf Day on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Thursday November 1, just two weeks before the European Tour’s top 60 players compete at the Race to Dubai’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship. The winning amateur will gain a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to tee it up with the likes of World No.1 Justin Rose and four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy in the DP World Tour Championship Pro-Am while the winning pro will win a luxury golf break in Sri Lanka.
For more information on any DHL Swing Against Cancer Golf Series event, or to find out how you can get involved, contact: [email protected] or visit: www.swingagainstcancer.com
