Sixteen10 and Worldwide Golf hit a hole-in-one with this year’s Swing Against Cancer Charity Golf Series, raising valuable funds for the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) charity 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 grand finale – the Mike Clark Golf Day – took place on Thursday, October 26 at Jumeirah Golf Estates, raising funds for the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), which will go directly towards the treatment of two Dubai residents, Waleed, a 37-year-old man suffering from rectal cancer, and a 2-year-old boy suffering from leukaemia.

A total of 88 golfers played alongside 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, prize auction, and live DJ.

The friendly atmosphere was perpetuated throughout the day, as stories were shared, and fancy-dress costumes made their way onto the fairways. Both the amateur and pro winners were rewarded with some fantastic prizes. The Swing Against Cancer Golf Series 2017 amateur winner, Christopher Smerdon, will get to tee off next month alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and Matt Fitzpatrick in the Rolex Pro-Am for the DP World Tour Championship from November 16-19. They will also receive hospitality tickets to the tournament, an invitation to the players’ beach party, a two-night stay at Atlantis, The Palm – where the Race to Dubai’s top 60 players will also be staying – and a golf lesson with renowned coach to the stars, Pete Cowen – the technician behind the swings of multiple Major winners.

The winner of the professional category of the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series, Ryan Smith, was awarded AED 5,000 plus a luxurious golf break for two at the Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa in Phuket, Thailand. Not bad for a day on the greens rubbing shoulders with international singers and sporting greats from various disciplines.

Harry Redknapp enthusiastically praised the event after putting in a great performance himself on the course. “It’s a fantastic day at the Mike Clark Golf Day. The event is for a great cause that affects everyone and I enjoyed every moment of it. It was a pleasure to take part in the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series playing on such a wonderful course with great company.”

The day’s action continued long into the evening, with a gala dinner followed the prize ceremony, after which the celebrity Q&A produced some memorable comedic gems, as Harry Redknapp recounted his fiercest opponent, the gifted George Best, and Mike Tindall spoke about the shenanigans that go on during a rugby tour. Michael Campbell inspired the crowd with tales of New Zealand’s conversion to golf and the support he received from his home nation, while Brian McFadden gave a rousing rendition of one of Westlife’s hits in memory of Mike Clark.

Raffle winners walked away with some great prizes, and the ‘what happened next’ competition entertained the audience. Other prizes were auctioned off such as an amazing golfing holiday and stay at Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa in Mauritius, a half-board beach-front villa holiday at the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort, box and concert tickets for the Etihad Airways Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi from platinum sponsor Flash Entertainment, and hospitality tickets in the DHL Chalet, courtesy of platinum sponsor DHL.

Other great prizes including a week’s golfing and villa stay at Michael Campbell’s Golf Academy in Marbella, Spain were heavily fought over, with the end result being that Michael Campbell offered not only one, but two groups the prize, whilst Harry Redknapp auctioned a 50% stake in his new racing horse, and Mike Tindall offered VIP Hospitality with him and other celebrities to Cheltenham Ladies Day races. Ronaldo’s football boot, the 2017 All Black’s team signed rugby shirt and Muhammed Ali’s boxing glove also fetched a pretty penny as Sixteen10 sourced some exclusive sports memorabilia for the occasion.

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. 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.

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. 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.

Reza Sazegar, Managing Director of Sixteen10, and good friend of Mike Clark, said after the event,

“On the 16th of October 2012 we lost a dear friend to cancer. Mike Clark inspired me to establish Sixteen10 and help raise money for others in need. With the support of our partners Worldwide Golf, the inaugural Swing Against Cancer Golf Series has been a remarkable success. With incredible sponsors and high-profile celebrities believing in and supporting our cause, it’s our duty to ensure we give back and help save lives. The series has attracted over 750 players and guests and with countless businesses contributing, I’m certain we’ll go from strength to strength.”

Rick Bevan, General Manager of Worldwide Golf and WSP Global added, “When we came up with the idea for the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series a year ago we never could have imagined it would grow so big and so quickly. We’ve been blown away by the support we’ve received from local golf and business communities. Most people have been affected by cancer in some way so we’re proud that the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series can help some of those suffering with this terrible disease.”