European Tour set up tsunami relief fund

Golf became the latest sport to pledge money to the Asian tsunami appeal on Thursday when the European Tour announced the launch International Relief Golf Fund with an initial donation of 50,000 pounds ($93,810).

Leading players, club golfers, international golfing bodies and management agencies, golf club manufacturers and tournament sponsors are among those being invited to contribute to the fund.

George O'Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: "Our members have been giving individually since this appalling disaster happened and when our office re-opened following the Christmas recess they expressed the desire for a central fund to further reinforce their support.

"We have been in contact with our business partners around the world and in the Asian region, where tournaments on our International Schedule are staged, with a view to increasing the financial support that golf provides and the most beneficial way of channelling that aid.

"We believe and hope this co-ordinated fund will encourage the world of golf -- professional and amateur, business and officialdom -- to give more and we are receptive to any further views on fund raising initiatives. Our aim is to substantially grow the initial donation of £50,000."

Sir Michael Bonallack, the former Secretary of The Royal and Ancient and Non-Executive Director of The European Tour, will be Chairman of the International Relief Golf Fund.

Cheques should be made payable to The European Tour and sent to The European Tour-International Relief Golf Fund, Wentworth Drive, Virginia Water, Surrey, GU25 4LX, UK.

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