More than 120 golfers attended the 2nd Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day at Montgomerie Links.

The award winning Montgomerie Links Golf Club located on Vietnam’s stunning Central Coast just outside Danang City has successfully hosted it’s second annual Swing to Swim charity golf day on Saturday 17^th March. The event raised much needed funding for Vietnamese swim programs which will be split equally between two beneficiaries, the Danang based Swim Safe program and Hoi An based Swim Vietnam program.

There were over 120 golfers who participated and they represented an array of nationalities. All of them shared a common goal: to get behind the spirit in which the Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day was intended. The Swing to Swim concept is an initiative created by Montgomerie Links and the community spirited Vietnam Swans Australian Football Club to raise critical funding and awareness to support drowning prevention programs in the provinces of Danang and Quang Nam. The event is proudly supported by the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia (RLSSA) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce, Auscham.

“The Montgomerie Links is very proud to be associated with an event that tangibly benefits our surrounding provinces. In Vietnam drowning fatalities are as frequent as road fatalities, so, by creating events like Swing to Swim, with the support of the lcoal provinces and organistations such as the Vietnam Swans, we are able to provide significant contributions to help save lives”, said Jon Tomlinson, General Director of The Montgomerie Links.

The Vietnamese swimming students come to Montgomerie Links.

Phil Johns, President of the Vietnam Swans Australian Rules Football Club added, “This year’s event was another great success in terms of raising money and awareness. We doubled the number of golfers, slightly increased the number of our generous sponsors in a very tough economy and generated significant exposure for the cause we are trying to support. Additionally, we have gained strong interest from a number of schools in Danang, Quang Nam and Ho Chi Minh City which are all very keen to further promote the safe swimming message with appropriate programs.”

Justin Scarr, from the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, said that “SwimSafe will put this money to very good use throughout the summer program.” He added that “raising the profile of this issue with the community, Government and potential donors is the only way to get long term, sustainable strategies in place to reduce the number of drownings”.

This year’s Swing to Swim tournament has raised a total of VND 714,000,000 (USD 8,250). Next year’s 3rd Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day has already been confirmed for 23 March 2013 in the Quang Nam province at The Montgomerie Links.

Special mention is required for our Swing to Swim sponsors which contributed to the overall success of the event. Our Gold Sponsors who contributed a minimum cash donation; namely, Diamond World, Glenmoriange and Sport Stuff. At the same level for their support in driving this event forward were the Vietnam Swans and Auscham,

Hole in One Sponsors included Diamond World, Park Hyatt Saigon and Diamond Bay. Each of them again offered incredibly generous support.

Our Silver Sponsors also contributed greatly: Lifestyle Resort Hoi An, Ana Mandara Hue, Heron Lake, The Nam Hai, Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa, VietStar Resort and Spa Phu Yen, PepsiCo.

Other generous sponsors included the Caravelle Hotel, Sofitel Hotel, Thai Country Club, Kota Permai Golf and Country Club, Titleist, Ocean Dunes, Mai Linh, ELI School, Palm Garden Resort, Handee, Hot Chili, Al Fresco’s, Red Bridge, Danang Golf Club, Waterfront Restaurant Danang, Cham Island Dive Centre, Avana, Tiger Lily, Blue Coral and Dingo Deli.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back again in 2013 for the 3rd Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day to further reduce the number of drownings in this country!