Henrik Stenson’s soaring eagle three on the final hole, which sealed his win at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, took on further significance as it gave the DP World Tour Championship Birdie Pledge a fitting finale to this year’s fundraising campaign.
Stenson sealed The Race to Dubai crown with his majestic three wood to two feet at the 18th on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates and the additional $100 for the 20th eagle of the week helped swell the Birdie Pledge’s total to $46,200 with The European Tour rounding up the amount to $50,000.
The DP World Tour Championship in collaboration with The Tour Players Foundation (TPF), the charitable arm of The European Tour, led the charitable initiative which meant that every one of the 884 birdies (worth $50 each) and all 20 eagles ($100 each) provided valuable funds for the Foundation’s chosen charity in Dubai, the Special Needs Families Group (SNF Group).
Stenson, who enjoyed a stunning season on both The European Tour and US PGA Tour, commented: "It’s fantastic to see the DP World Tour Championship continue the support of the SNF Group, a local organisation that I know does such great work in Dubai for individuals with special needs. My wife, Emma, and The European Tour Wives Association have visited their facility numerous times since 2009.
“What better way to raise funds than a Birdie Pledge? I guess my birdies and eagles will have boosted the fund-raising total more than most, which is an added bonus to what was an amazing week for me."
Both the Championship and The TPF has supported the SNF Group since 2009, enabling it to develop and expand its care of the special needs children of Dubai. The support of organisation such as the SNFG is a key objective of the TPF in its desire to give back in regions that host European Tour events.
The SNF Group specialises in providing holistic support to young adults with special needs through personalised and professional care at the SNF Development Centre, situated in the Deira area of Dubai.
During the tournament, Lesley Khan, Annabel Sauvignan and Natasha Fichardt from The European Tour Wives Association hosted a number of the students at Jumeirah Golf Estates, with Simon Khan, Gregory Bourdy and Felipe Aguilar joining the group for golf-specific arts and crafts activities following a picnic in the Championship Village.
The group were also joined by Tour Players Foundation Trustee, Jonathan Orr and European Tour Executive Richard Hills for a photo call with the players, their wives and the students who thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to mingle with some of the leading Tour professionals.
Nick Tarratt, Director, The European Tour International, Dubai, said: “We are delighted to continue our long-term support of the SNF Group and, thanks to the outstanding scoring achieved by the world class field, we were able to deliver such a wonderful amount to such a worthy cause, it will be the Championship and European Tour’s pleasure to round the donation up to $50,000.”
