Money raised at the Charity Golf Day will be used to teach Vietnamese children how to swim.

Golf Industry Central has reported on the Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day held on 14 May 2011. The event, co organised by the Vietnam Swans, Montgomerie Links, Swim Vietnam and the RLSSA, raised USD25,000. Below is an excerpt (for the full article, click here).

“The award winning Montgomerie Links Golf Club located on Vietnam’s stunning Central Coast just outside Danang City has successfully hosted the inaugural Swing to Swim charity golf day raising USD $25 000 for Vietnamese swim programs with all money raised to be equally shared by the Danang based Swim Safe program and Hoi An based Swim Vietnam programs.

“Swing to Swim an initiative created by Montgomerie Links and proudly supported by the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia (RLSSA) and the community spirited Vietnam Swans Australian Rules Football Club held in conjunction with the bi annual world drowning prevention conference easily surpassed the original target of USD $20 000 thanks to the generosity and support of all participants with the event comprising a golf tournament and gala dinner with a charity auction. “The Montgomerie Links saw this event as a unique opportunity to further use golf as a platform to support the local communities in their battle against drowning fatalities in Vietnam which is a staggering 10 000 per year as quoted by some non government organizations (NGO’s). As an Australian expat working in Vietnam, it’s easy to take for granted the outstanding swim programs we have in Australia and it’s only when you realize there is as many drowning in Vietnam as road fatalities that one realizes how serious this problem is so to have the opportunity to make a difference through the Swing to Swim charity golf day is extremely gratifying for all involved” said Jon Tomlinson, General Director at The Montgomerie Links.

“The RLSAA were heavily involved in the preceeding conference on world drowing prevention which was attended by over 400 delegetes representing 60 countries and their Chief Operating Officer Rob Bradley added ‘To have the Australian Life Saving Society combine with the generosity of Montgomerie Links and the Vietnam Swans especially following a successful conference will make a big contribution to saving young lives in the coming year and we are proud to be part of the inaugural event.’

“While Jo Stewart who manages Swim Vietnam the Hoi An based program enthusiastically said ‘The Swim to Swim day was a huge success.  The money raised will allow us to put up a portable pool, significantly expand the program and teach many more children how to swim. We are already looking forward to next year’s golf day!’ ”

To read the rest of the article, click here.