A collection of expatriate footballers are hoping to net a record amount of funds from a charity golf day being held in memory of a fallen friend.
The third Clarky Memorial Golf Day will take place at Yas Links Golf Club on May 21, kicking off at 13:30.
The event is being organised by Abu Dhabi Strollers, a group of expat footballers, who meet weekly at Zayed Sports City.
The event was created in 2013 in memory of Mike Clark, who died of cancer in October 2012. In the tournament’s inaugural year over 100 people took part and raised Dh90,000, with Dh115,000 raised last year.
Event organiser Jamie Goodenough says the popularity of the tournament has grown steadily and he hopes the third instalment will be an even bigger success.
He said: “Mike died at only 30 years of age. Myself and a colleague decided to put on a day in his memory to raise money for charity.
"Mike was a close friend to a lot of people in Dubai/Abu Dhabi and was an integral member of the team who created the Dubai World Championship and Race to Dubai.
“Mike also worked at Yas Marina Circuit and Flash Entertainment before heading home for his treatment so his connection with both Dubai and Abu Dhabi was very strong.”
All proceeds from the first year were donated to the hospice where Clark spent the last few weeks of his life. The tournament enjoyed similar success in 2014, with donations this time going to the local cancer charity Friends of Cancer Patients.
The format of the event will be based on a scramble and stroke play for teams of four.
Goodenough added: “We have held the event in Dubai for the previous two years but managed to get a fantastic deal with Yas Links who are supporting us with great rates for golf and refreshments.
“Chris White (Yas general manager) is a personal friend and cancer is close to his heart so it made perfect sense to host it there as well as the link from Mike with YMC and Flash.
“Flash are a big supporter of the event too and will be adding lots of fun elements to the day.
"We will have a clinic on site for those who aren’t comfortable playing in the tournament, are new to the game or just want to have some fun.
“The pros will be on hand to offer tips/lessons and also run some fun putting competitions.”
Players will need to pay Dh725 for the day, which includes 18 holes, a shared buggy, driving range access, a branded golf shirt and a buffet dinner. There will also be a charge of Dh100 per person for the clinic.
“Ultimately it will be a fun day where we celebrate Mike’s life, have a lot of banter on the golf course and in the evening, and raise as much money as we can,” said Goodenough.
“Each entry contributes towards the overall charitable donation and we also run a raffle and auction.”
Auction items include signed Manchester City and Stoke City shirts and access to the director’s box for any Stoke game, return Etihad flights to Thailand with a stay at the Marriot Bangkok, Jumeirah Etihad Towers hotel vouchers, green fee vouchers for a number of courses throughout the UAE – plus loads of other items.
What: Clarky Memorial Golf Day
When: Thursday, May 21
Where: Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi
Sport360º verdict: A great chance to get your clubs out while paying tribute to a great man
Contact: email [email protected] or call Jamie Goodenough on 050 812 6755
