The Portugal Masters Pro-Am raised €8,000 for the tournament’s Official Charity, Make A Wish Portugal, which helps fulfil the dreams of seriously ill children.
All 42 professionals playing in the tournament curtain-raiser donated their €100 appearance fee to Make A Wish Portugal, and the total was matched by the Tour Players Foundation, the charitable arm of The European Tour, to raise €8,000.
Based in Lisbon, Make A Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, helping to restore their strength, joy and hope. Make A Wish has granted the wishes of nearly 400 children since it began in 2007, creating experiences such as meeting a favourite celebrity or sportsperson, visiting a theme park and going on holiday. The experience gives the child and his or her family renewed strength and determination to fight their illness.
Mariana Carreira, Executive Director of Make A Wish Portugal, said: “It’s fantastic that the professionals playing in the pro-am have pledged their support to our charity and we are grateful to the Tour Players Foundation for matching the funds donated. The money will make a huge difference to the charity. What great start to the week!”
Thongchai Jaidee, whose team won the Pro-Am, said: “I speak for myself and all my fellow professionals when I say that we are very happy to help such a worthy charity in this small way, and hope that our support as well as the fund-matching by the Tour Players Foundation will make a positive difference to the lives of the children who are helped by Make A Wish Portugal.”
David Park, The European Tour’s Charity Executive, said: “The Championship and The European Tour appreciate this wonderful gesture from our players in giving this week’s charity campaign a fantastic start, and with the added support of the Tour Players Foundation €8,000 is a fantastic sum on which we can build throughout the tournament.”
Other fundraising at the popular tournament at Oceânico Victoria Golf Course, which features stars such as Paul McGinley, Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup captain, Italy’s Francesco Molinari, 2012 winner Shane Lowry and defending champion David Lynn, will include asking spectators to make a donation to Make A Wish in return for a daily draw sheet or official programme for the suggested minimum amounts of €1 and €3 respectively. Each donor will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a place in the 2015 Portugal Masters Pro-Am.
