Three charities will share £30,000 following the Scottish Championship presented by AXA as part of the European Tour’s #GolfForGood initiative, which underpins the 2020 Race to Dubai.
The European Tour will donate £10,000 to each of the three charities selected by host venue Fairmont St Andrews – the St Andrews-based Hamish Foundation, the Maggie’s Centre in nearby Kirkaldy and CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland).
In addition, Dunnikier Park Golf Club in Kirkaldy will receive range balls used during the tournament and donated by Callaway, the Official Golf Ball of the European Tour, in recognition of their efforts to encourage juniors to take up golf.
Local hero Elspeth Caldow was also rewarded with a prize of an overnight stay and a fourball at Fairmont St Andrews, for her tireless efforts running and fundraising for the Common Ground community centre in Milnathort, which has been vital in providing a safe space for people who are struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The keen golfer and volunteer marshal received a special thank you during the Scottish Championship presented by AXA in a zoom call from Scottish three-time European Tour winner Richie Ramsay.
The three charities who will receive a share of £30,000 are:
Hamish Foundation: A local charity set up by three friends – Debbie MacCallum, Maggie Picken and Linda Ann Beaulieu, whose vision is to improve the facilities for and lives of children and families in and around their beautiful and historic home of St Andrews. As a group of volunteers, they are committed to raising the funds required to help provide much needed improvements and assistance for youth.
Note: The charity takes its name from Hamish McHamish (1999 – 2014), a ginger cat that lived in St Andrews. He came to national and international fame after the book entitled “Hamish McHamish of St Andrews: Cool Cat About Town” was published. Hamish was believed to bring luck to your business and the town. In 2014 a bronze statue was installed in Church Square to commemorate his life.
Maggie’s: The Maggie’s Centre in Kirkcaldy provides support to individuals and families that are impacted by cancer. They provide emotional, financial, social and practical support that can be difficult to find or navigate. The first Centre was opened in Edinburgh in 1996. Maggie Keswick Jencks used her own experience of having cancer to create a new type of cancer care. Maggie sadly passed away in July 1995. Her legacy remains and the charity continues to raise funds and awareness. There are now a network of centres across the UK and three abroad. The Kirkcaldy centre services all of the Fife area.
CHAS: For over 20 years, CHAS have been offering full family support service for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions. This includes palliative care, family respite and support. CHAS operates Rachel House in Kinross on the East Coast of Scotland and Robin House in Balloch in the West, as well as offering at home and hospital support.
Darrell O’Hora, Championship Director of the Scottish Championship presented by AXA, said: “We were delighted to continue the #GolfforGood initiative at the Scottish Championship presented by AXA by rewarding three worthy charities in the Hamish Foundation, Maggie’s and CHAS, all selected by host venue Fairmont St Andrews. It was also the perfect opportunity to recognise the work of Dunnikier Park Golf Club and Elspeth Caldow too, and we thank everyone recognised as part of #GolfforGood during the tournament for their tireless efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.”
Lorraine Garvie, Commercial Director at Fairmont St Andrews said: “It was a pleasure to nominate three local charities to benefit from the generous donation by the European Tour after a successful week of hosting The Scottish Championship at the Resort. Having worked with all three charities, we know that these funds will go a long way to support the tremendous work they do for the community – particularly during these challenging times where fundraising events are at a minimum.”
A total of £932,091 has been shared amongst local, national, and international charitable causes since the #GolfforGood initiative launched at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood at Close House in July.
The #GolfForGood initiative aims to give back in three key areas:
▪ supporting the communities where the European Tour plays;
▪ rewarding the true heroes, such as front-line workers; and
▪ promoting the many health benefits that golf offers.
