Micky J sings at Swing to Swim Dinner

UPDATE: 200 photos taken by Michael Johnston have been added to the Vietnam Swans Web Album.

Yesterday, an amazing (provisional) USD25,000 was raised at the Inaugural Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day at Montgomerie Links, Danang. All money raised will be donated to SwimSafe and Swim Vietnam which both teach children how to swim (in Vietnam, more children die from drowning than  road accidents).

The Charity Golf Day, co organised by the Vietnam Swans, the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia (RLSSA), Montgomerie Links and Swim Vietnam was timed to coincide with the end of the RLSSA’s global conference on drowning prevention.

Some of the Swim Vietnam students take to the driving range.

The provisional total of $25,000 easily exceeded the organisers’ target of $20,000 thanks to very generous sponsors and some excellent auctioneering skills by Vietnam Swan, Mick Francis.

One highlight was a West Coast Eagles footy jumper that had been donated by Gerard Neesham. Beforehand, organisers were all a bit nervous as to how much an AFL club jumper would raise at a charity golf day in Vietnam. Well, it was bought by a Vietnamese, Mr Tu, for a staggering VND25million (USD1,200).

Mr Tu with his West Coast jumper - and the boy who won "Nearest to the Pin".

Mr Tu explained afterwards that he had recently travelled to Melbourne to play in a golf tournament and had been impressed by the city’s passion for Aussie Rules! So, he bought the footy jumper which he plans to donate to Montgomerie Links to put on display.

A golf cap from the Ryder Cup, signed by Colin Montgomerie, was sold for VND31 million.

Congratulations to everyone involved in achieving such an outstanding result. Special mention to Vietnam Swans’ sponsor, Jim Beam, which again offered incredibly generous support – this time with Makers Mark (America’s favourite redhead).

Michael Johnston has added 200 photos to the Vietnam Swans Web Album.

If you weren’t at the Inaugural Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day, have a look at the photos. Guaranteed, you will lock yourself in for next year!

For more information about Swim Vietnam, pls download the swimming brochure_2011.

Footnote: Coincidentally, on the same day, 14 May 2011, the Melbourne Age newspaper ran an article, Revival on the Coast which had a look at Danang and surrounds including Montgomerie Links.