THE worlds of sport, business and entertainment came together in Abu Dhabi last week to raise more than $435,000 during the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah.
A star-studded pro-am at Yas Links was followed by a Gala Dinner at the spectacular Yas Viceroy – Official Hotel for this year’s Invitational – 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 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah was to raise money for charity and by the end of the day just over $435,000 was raised.
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.”
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 ten 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 tenth 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 only come out to the UAE and play on a course as beautiful as Yas Links alongside top pros but to help raise money for some really worthy causes is amazing.”
