Ryder Cup stars and compatriots Paul Casey and Ross Fisher became the latest European Tour professionals to appear at Genworth Putts4Charity at the BMW International Open on Friday, with Casey becoming the first player to hole all four of his putts this season.
Putts4Charity, a partnership between Genworth Financial and the Tour Players’ Foundation – the charitable arm of The European Tour, was founded in 2007 and has since raised over €900,000 for a variety of charities across the countries visited on The European Tour International Schedule.
At a number of nominated Tour events in 2012 the Genworth Foundation is donating a minimum of €2 to charity for every one-putt made on-course by the Pros during their tournament rounds. In addition, members of the public have the opportunity to participate in Putts4Charity on the specially constructed greens, which consist of four putts designed to replicate some of the famous putts holed in European Tour history by European Tour Members.
While Casey stole the show with his impressive quartet of putts, Fisher was also on good form, holing three out of four, and the two professionals were full of praise for Genworth and the initiative afterwards.
“It’s great being able to have fun and at the same time raise lots of money for charity,” said Casey, 11 times a victor in a stellar European Tour career. “It’s a great experience and the putts are actually really tough! If we can do this and support others, and if this goes even a small way to help others and making them happier then that’s what it’s all about.”
Before this week’s event in Germany, €42,827 had been raised already this season, but with Henrik Stenson and Paul Lawrie yesterday and Casey and Fisher’s appearances at the stand in Gut Lärchenhof’s tented village following the second round, both the season total and the grand total have been bolstered by €8,000.
Fisher was equally effusive in his praise for the efforts to raise the important funds.
He said: “I believe this is my 15th appearance at Putts4Charity since we launched it at the BMW PGA at Wentworth and it’s always nice to try and raise some more money for the charity.
“It feels great; I’ve not made four from four just yet but it’s great. Genworth do a fantastic job and myself and Paul are here representing the Tour Players’ Foundation; it’s good fun and anytime you can give something back to charity is definitely something not only myself but all the guys want to do.”
The main beneficiary of the scheme is SOS Children’s Villages, a foundation which helps more than 63,000 children and young people in 133 countries worldwide. The organisation’s vision is ‘a loving home for every child’ and aims to provide a supportive and protective family environment, which has 518 Children’s Villages and 392 Youth Facilities.
“It’s fantastic to see the likes of Paul and Ross supporting Putts4Charity, by representing the Tour Players’ Foundation in their strong partnership with Genworth Financial,” said David Park, European Tour Charity Executive. “In fact, Paul's participation today takes the total of number of different players making 'Pro Appearances' since 2007 to over 75, with each appearances being marked by a generous donation from the Genworth Foundation.
“Couple that with the donations made per on-course one putts made during tournament rounds, virtually every player on the European Tour will have contributed to the total that is fast approaching that landmark figure of €1 million! Congratulations to Genworth and the support of the players, through the Tour Players’ Foundation, will help us continue well past the €1m!”
