How do you raise over 620,000 baht in one day to support an exploding number of child refugees in the Mae Sot refugee camps plus the impoverished handicapped families in the Chonburi region? For the second year running the three women of WWM – Rosy Diamante, Kylie Grimmer and Bronwyn Carey, have organized their increasingly popular charity golf tournament at the immaculate and challenging Pattana Golf Resort.
On Friday 29 October more than 90 golfers grouped into 4-person teams spread themselves around the course for a shotgun start. It was a bright blue-sky day with a cooling breeze, perfect for golf and the fun “scramble” format. The teams were often a mixture of different golfing calibers, however the popular scramble format meant that all participants could contribute to their team’s success or otherwise.
Teeing-off at the intimidating B1 at Pattana Golf Resort.
The participants all gathered together after the 18 holes of intense competition for a delicious dinner and prize-giving function at the golf resort. This was provided as part of the entry fee. The free beer and wine was welcomed by all after the arduous on-course activities.
As part of the dinner function, WWM took the opportunity of a captive audience to give a brief overview of their activities and where the raised funds will be used. These three ladies (all either current or ex-Pattaya residents) have worked tirelessly for years to help the needy and impoverished in Thailand.
The funds are specifically targeted to projects and are not lost to administrative costs as with many charitable organizations. Currently the focus for WWM is contributing to the support, housing, educational and feeding costs for 380 Karen children in the Hway Ka Loke School and Boarding House near Mae Sot and 60 children at the Du Pla Ya boarding house in the Umphium Mai refugee camp on the Thai-Burmese border. Most of these children struggle to get two meals per day of meager rations of a bowl of rice and some fish paste. WWM try to supplement their diet with additional vegetables and some protein when available. Feeding them first and then housing and educating them are their priorities.
The Chonburi region, closer to home, is also a recipient of WWM support with their highly successful fish-tank project. Twenty-two households in Chonburi struggling to support handicapped family members have been provided tanks, cat-fish fingerlings and fish food to raise their own fish. This supplements their own diets while creating income from selling the grown fish. The project epitomizes WWM’s approach to charitable causes. Very targeted, low cost and simple, ultimately helping people to help themselves.
And then there were the golf winners. On the day everyone was a winner on and off the course since many local Pattaya businesses had donated literally 100’s of prizes, including Minor Corp, who provided a two night stay at the Anatara Si Kao Resort and Spa in Krabi – the major raffle prize of the evening, won by Mary Kelly.
The companies who helped sponsor the tournament put many of the teams together. Notably the 1st in the Men’s Division went to the strong Fenix Apparel Team who made colorful golf shirts for all the participants, and closely followed in 2nd place by the Siam Chuyo Team. The Women’s Division was taken out by the Sweet Danes Team making this a truly multi-cultural event.
WWM would like to thank their principal sponsors for the event; namely Dana Spicer, Albatross Thailand, GAC World Thailand, Pattaya Sports Club and Inergy Automotive.
The businesses who sponsored holes, donated prizes for the raffle and Friends of WWM are too numerous to mention, but sincere thanks for a highly successful and fun day goes out all; including the participants who all joined in the spirit of the event. WWM are already planning their next charity golf tournament at the same time next year, so mark in your 2011 calendar now and watch for further notices.
The Fenix Apparel Team were the winners of the men’s division.
The colourfully attired golfers head for the 12:30 shotgun start.
An all-Thai ladies team in confident mood heading for the first.
This leprechaun backed foursome went searching for their pot of gold.
Mary Kelly, center, won the top raffle prize of a trip to the Anatara Si Kao Resort & Spa in Krabi.
The main sponsors receive certificates of appreciation from the tournament organizers: (left to right) Khun Thanee (WWM), Rosanne Diamente (WWM), Bronwyn Carey (WWM), Mike Diamente (Dana Spicer), Peera Thaweechart (Albatross Logistics), Mark Delaney (GAC Thailand), Kylie Grimmer (WWM), Shaun Burke (Cromwell-Tools) and Rainer Doerrheide (Continental Automotive).
