Charity the real winner at the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational

THE worlds of sport, business and entertainment came together last night to give generously as the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah came to a glittering close at a star-studded Gala Dinner.

Taking place at the spectacular Yas Viceroy – Official Hotel for this year’s Invitational – the dinner was attended by the likes of cricket legends Sir Ian Botham, Michael Vaughan and Allan Lamb; ex footballers Ruud Gullit, Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke along with golf’s top European Tour stars including Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell, Colin Montgomerie and 2012 European Ryder Cup Captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

The main purpose of the evening was to raise money for charity and the esteemed guests didn’t disappoint, raising $300,000 in a live auction with a further $25,000 added from a silent auction and private donations.

Tournament host Abdullah Al Naboodah was delighted that so many of his friends and associates dug deep to support the Invitational’s Official Charities – the UAE Down Syndrome Association, Friends of Cancer Patients UAE, the Special Care Centre Abu Dhabi and The Tour Players’ Foundation.

“Everybody enjoys the event and it makes me proud that so many top pros and amateurs keep coming back to play every year,” he said. “We aim to make it a fun tournament in a relaxed but competitive environment but the bigger cause for us is to support our affiliated charities and it’s wonderful to see so many of our guests putting their hands in their pockets and giving generously.”

A $125,000 charity donation will also be made from the event’s $500,000 prize fund taking the total raised in just one day to $450,000.

Earlier in the day the star-studded one-day pro-am golf event saw Scotland’s Richie Ramsay win the professional title with a sensational course-record 10-under-par 62 around the beautiful Yas Links course while Thorbjorn Olesen and Rob Hersov scooped the team prize following a card countback against Ramsay and Teejan Fadlu-Deen after both teams finished 11-under 61.

Former Manchester United star Cole, who finished tied 10th in the prestigious tournament alongside pro playing partner Oliver Fisher after the pair shot a combined 66, said: “It’s been a top, top day all round. I can’t speak highly enough of this event and it’s an honour for me to be invited.  To be given the opportunity to not o