Big Names Show Big Hearts At Flood-Relief Auction: Thailand Golf

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GOLF

Big names show big hearts at flood-relief auction

Lerpong Amsangiam

The Nation

Chon Buri

Chon Buri : A starry field headed by world No 3 Lee Westwood, Sergio "El Nino" Garcia, Japanese phenomenon Ryo Ishikawa and local stalwart Thongchai Jaidee hope to bring out their best in the season-ending Thailand Golf Championship, which gets underway at the Amata Spring Country Club today.

But personal ambition was put on hold on Tuesday night, when the four stars joined this year's Major winners - Masters champ Charl Schwartzel, and British Open victor Darren Clarke, as well as Simon Dyson and John Daly - to show real heart. Together they helped raise nearly Bt2.5 million for flood victims via an auction of their personal items at the St Regis Hotel.

A winner of three trophies this season, Westwood hoped the participation of so many big names in the US$1 million Asian Tour event would help revive the local economy, which has been hit by the worst flood devastation for half a century.

"I think tourism is the main thing in Thailand. By having a worldclass sporting event, we can encourage people to come back and see this wonderful country,'' said Westwood who plays along with Ishikawa and Thongchai in the last group, which tees off at 12.15pm. It will be his second appearance at the Amata Spring Country Club, after representing Europe in the 2007 Royal Trophy.

The resurgent Garcia, who snatched backtoback titles in Spain this year, is returning to the Kingdom after a decade. The Spaniard played in the Johnnie Walker event at the Alpine Golf Course in 2001. The former world No 2 was dismayed about news of the Thai floods.

"It's not very nice when you see people losing their houses and struggling to survive. But you cannot control nature. We hope to help more throughout this week. It will be nice to show to the rest of the world that Thailand is slowly recovering and they [tourists] can come back,'' said the Spaniard, who will tee off in a group with Jeev Milkha Singh and Shingo Katayama at 7.50am.

Of the donated items, Schwartzel's Masters pin flag and putter received the highest bid - Bt1 million. The South African is competing in his ninth straight tournament and hopes to end his year with a second title.

"I was looking forward to an easy course but I am surprised that the course is amazing. You have to pay attention hitting iron shots to the greens, especially when the winds blow," Schwartzel said.

Apart from his autographed British Open flag, Clarke also donated Bt300,000 from his foundation.

"Hopefully we can get more people to come and watch. It's nice that all the money from ticket sales is going to the flood relief fund,'' said the Northern Irishman, whose last time here was in the 2010 Royal Trophy.

Japanese sensation Ishikawa is being stalked by a contingent of media from his homeland on this, his fourth visit to Thailand. The 20yearold golf icon, whose country was hit by the twin disasters of earthquake and tsunami earlier this year, said he wants to donate money to flood victims here after he plays the tournament.

"I'm very excited to help Thai people. We had the same problem in Japan. I was very touched when we received help,'' said Ishikawa in fluent English.

No one understands the disaster better than the Lopburibased Thongchai, who witnessed the suffering firsthand in his hometown.

"We had about 10,000 houses affected by flooding. People had to live on the roads. My family and I helped by donating money and cooking food for flood victims. It's very sad and I hope this won't happen again next year,'' said Thongchai who said his fitness was just 70 per cent after recovering from a back injury.

-- The Nation 2011-12-15