A charity initiative at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open has raised $50,000 to support life-changing initiatives in Cambodia.
ISPS HANDA, in collaboration with The R&A, pledged to donate $750 for every birdie made on the 13th hole at Sunningdale’s Old Course. Ahead of the final round, that commitment was raised to $2,000.
A total of 49 birdies were made through the four tournament days, resulting in $48,000 of fundraising, with a further $2,000 added to round up the total.
The proceeds from the Birdie Challenge will go to The Handa Foundation, helping introduce golf to children in one of Cambodia’s poorest regions – offering them not only the joy of sport but the possibility of a better future.
The project forms part of a broader mission led by Dr Haruhisa Handa, founder and chairman of ISPS HANDA. Dr Handa has been committed to rebuilding Cambodia since the post-Khmer Rouge era, more than 40 years ago. At that time, Cambodia had just ten doctors and its educated population had been nearly annihilated. To help the country recover, Dr Handa began with healthcare and education.
One of his most enduring legacies is the Sihanouk Hospital, named after the former King of Cambodia. Founder over 30 years ago, the facility has treated more than 1.8million free of charges and hundreds of thousands more with substantial subsidies.
Breakdown of the Birdie Challenge fundraising
Round one: 14 birdies at $750 for each = $10,500
Round two: 19 birdies at $750 for each = $14,250
Round three: Seven birdies at $750 for each = $5,250
Round four: Nine birdies at $2,000 for each = $18,000*
*$2,000 added to round up the total
