AS reported in last week’s The Resident, one of the major annual charity events in the Algarve, the Charity Golf Tournament with Gala Dinner and Show, now in its eighth year, raised an all time record of 60,000 euros for the Existir institution in Loulé, an association for the assistance and rehabilitation of disabled and underprivileged people.
More than 180 golfers competed in a Stableford Pairs Better Ball tournament on the fairways and greens of Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura, donated exclusively for the day by Lusotur Golfes, one of the event’s main sponsors.
In the evening, around 360 people came to the Casino de Vilamoura to enjoy pre-dinner cocktails, sponsored by Vodafone, and a gala dinner, sponsored by the Sovereign Group.
The venue was given exclusively for the event by Solverde, the company that runs the casino. Newlyn Developments, a firm that brings expertise from Ireland to Portugal in second homes and holiday home projects, were the main golf sponsor.
In addition to the principle sponsors, Atelier do Sul – Design Consultants were responsible for the design and production of everything needed to promote the event, including its website www.annualcharityvilamoura.com
Guest of honour at the gala dinner was Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, who also presented the prizes to the golf winners.
In total, just over 300,000 euros have been raised since the event started in 1998. The organisers target local charities as they believe it is a way for all participants and sponsors, who are also mainly local, to put something back into the community where they all enjoy living and working – the Algarve.
This year’s event was heavily sponsored by dozens of local, and not so local, businesses, by way of donations for each of the 18 holes of golf, the putting green, the driving range and some top class prizes for the tombola, which included nearly 400 individual prizes, plus fabulous holiday gifts.
Thanks in particular go to Casa Velha do Palheiro and Group Porto Bay in Madeira, Dunas Douradas – Royal Caribbean Cruise, Power Jet Services, BA/GB Airways and TAP Air Portugal, Lapa Palace Lisbon, Vila Joya, Le Meridien Penina, Le Meridien Dona Filipa and San Lorenzo Golf, Vila Vita Parc, Praia D’El Rey Golf and Beach Resort, Penha Longa Hotel and Golf Resort and Termas de Monchique. The tombola and auction, conducted by Peter Chamberlain, were highlights of the evening and raised considerable sums.
Organisation committee:
Constantino Jordan – Lusotur Golfes
Fred Phillips – Atelier do Sul
Susan Hart – Close Private Bank
James Padfield – Arquiscape
Doug Moody
Golf winners:
Longest Drive Ladies –
Florence Mourgue D’Algue
Longest Drive Men –
Sean Corte-Real
Nearest the Pin Ladies –
Heather Nichols
Nearest the Pin Men –
Sean Corte-Real
Putting competition:
James Padfield
Peter Chamberlain
Morning competition:
1st Manuel Cândido Oliveira and José Cândido Oliveira42
2nd Elmo D’Souza and Lynn D’Souza 40
3rd Fernando Serpa and Lurdes Serpa 39
