GOLF CHARITY EVENTS ARE BEST

T. O. Tan (left) of the APIC Group with the home's founder, Morgun A/L Nadesan during the presentation of the RM100,000 mock cheque.

Last Friday was the 4th of July.

While America celebrated its Independence Day, I was privileged to be part of an inaugural charity golf tournament.

The APIC Charity Golf Day organized by Transview Golf Sdn Bhd was held at Kota Permai Golf & Country Club. "Another assignment on my favourite course with clients," I thought to myself.

Arriving at the bag drop about 11am, the club's staff Hairy greeted me, like he has always done so at every other tournament. "Hello again Pat. Third time in three weeks that you've attended events here. Maybe you should consider buying a membership!" he quipped.

Perhaps I should. Sooner or later.

A handshake with Transview's COO and long-time friend Frankie Choo was followed by a beeline for the changing room to get kitted up.

Teeing off from hole 18 on a shotgun start at 1.45pm, I had the worst of starts. I had a nine on the 482-metre, par 5. And, for the most of the remaining 17 holes, my game was awful.

It didn't matter though, as I was privileged enough to even get an invitation. In my opinion, the organizing committee should have sold our flight and donated the funds to the home, the Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Klang Selangor (Klang Selangor Spastics Children Care Association).

Staying for the presentation dinner, I was introduced to Mr. T. O. Tan the Chief Executive Officer of the APIC Group, and a member at Kota Permai. It was time to find out more about this charity event and the generous people behind it.

“I’ve known the Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Klang Selangor home since 2003 through my regular golfing buddy called Bob, who was a committee member there then. He is the secretary today," Tan explained. “In 2003, I won a Standard Chartered golf event and I was awarded with a trip to the TPC Sawgrass that was worth RM15,000. But, I didn’t want to go because of the 30-hour travel time to America that did not interest me."

“When I asked Standard Chartered if I could change it for cash, they said they could only give me RM5,000. So I asked the bank if they could use the RM10,000 as a donation to the home and they said that it was feasible if it was for charity."

Bob (middle) is one of those rare, big-hearted golfers.

That was how it started, Tan's association with the home, or perhaps the beginning of his selfless sacrifice, a mission to help the children.

He added, "And from then on, we have raised RM10,000 for the home every year at our company dinner as part of our CSR initiatives.

However, Tan was informed by his best buddy, Bob that the home needed more funds to care and feed for the kids. Hence, that was how they decided to organize this event.

"A lot of companies, our business associates and golfers have a very generous heart by taking part in this inaugural APIC Charity Golf Day," said Tan. "We charged RM5,000 per flight and managed to collect RM95,300 in total. The company decided to top-up the amount to make it RM100,000 and sponsored the drinks."

Transview Golf's Frankie Choo (right)

In his speech, a visibly delighted Tan honoured the sponsors, the club, Transview and the 120-plus golfers for their selfless assistance.

As the prize presentation wore on, it was humbling to see so many rich golfers donating their prizes back for an on-the-spot auction marshaled by Transview's Kevin Chan to raise additional funds for the kids.

20 children from the home were invited for dinner.

What made it even more impressive was the fact that most of these guys were the event's co-sponsors.

I couldn't sit there and not contribute, and decided to add the Fourteen stand-bag that I had won earlier to the items for auction.

Chances like these do not appear everyday, especially when you can help underprivileged and handicapped children. Furthermore, its not as if I needed another golf bag.   

What was even more touching was when some of the 20 children who attended the dinner shook my hand when the formalities ended.

"Thank you uncle for your help," a teenager from the home said.

"Goodnight and have a safe journey home," said another.

That was it, I had a tear or two in my eyes.