Royal Occasion in Dubai as Golfers raise 1 million AED

The BIG-Five O – UAE’s longest running charity golf tournament continues to make a real difference to the lives of children. Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent, celebrities from the worlds of sport and entertainment and local golfers have successfully raised one million dirhams to help improve the lives of children both locally and overseas in the UAE’s longest running charity golf tournament.

Held at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, over 200 golfers joined Gower, Glen Hoddle, Matt Le Tissier, Jeremy Guscott, Roger Uttley and Tom Canning in taking on the spectacular championship course before enjoying a stunning Gala dinner, to raise much-needed funds for worthy causes. Charities benefiting from the event include; SPARKS (Sport Aiding Research for Kids), The Al Noor Training Centre, The Dubai Centre for Children with Special Needs, The Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre and UK Youth.

Having developed into one of the most popular and prestigious occasions in the sporting and social calendar in Dubai, the event has now raised more than a staggering Dhs8million over the eight events, giving much-needed support to children’s charities.  Founder of the event, Rod Bogg commented “I am absolutely thrilled with the support we have raised in this year’s tournament.  The local golfing community and our long-serving sponsors are invaluable to the ongoing success of the event and this year has proved to be no exception. In this my last BIG-Five O before leaving Dubai, I’m extremely proud of the contribution the event has made over the years and delighted, once again we’ve hit the figure of a million dirhams.”

Shirley Bruce from Dubai Centre for Special Needs also commented “With the support of the sponsors and the commitment from the golfing community, The BIG Five-O provides us with the tools and resources we require to help children that desperately need it. We are so grateful for the financial contribution made to our worthwhile cause and thank each and every single person who has contributed.”
The majority of the funds raised were gathered from the silent and live auctions at the black tie gala dinner.  Auction items including 2 tickets to the final two days of the Masters 2011 sold for 40,000AED while a golfing holiday to Loch Lomond raised a whopping 75,000 AED.
The BIG-Five O relies on the generous support of its sponsors and this year wasl (Dubai Real Estate Corporation), owners of Dubai Golf,  generously granted the use of Dubai Creek Golf Course.  wasl joins loyal and dedicated main sponsors of the Big-Five O; Emirates Airline, Grand Hyatt Dubai and Motivate Publishing, without whom the event would not have become such an huge success and golfing tradition in Dubai.