The first charity golf tournament, “Gambia Cup,” took place 30 years ago. On Sunday, the 31st edition will kick start in Germany. The Cup has so far recorded 140,000 euros.
Members and guests of the Golf Club Schwarze Heide will compete on Gahlener Straße Sunday from 9 a.m. for the 31st “Gambia Cup.” For 30 years, the golf club has supported the Bottrop Children’s Village in the Gambia with this charity tournament. Over the decades, the golfers have used around 140,000 euros to help the aid project for young people and children in the West African country.
The Association wants to look after up to 500 children in kindergarten from 2025
Next, the association has set itself the goal of expanding the kindergarten. At the beginning of the school year next week, 360 children between the ages of three and six will be cared for in ten classes. Wolfgang Gerrits, chairman of the association, formulates the goal as follows: “In 2025, we want to offer care and a hot meal daily to 500 children who have been selected according to social criteria. That’s why we have to start building next year.“
Golfers will deliver the first building blocks for the planned expansion on Sunday, say Gerrits and Golf Club President Hartwig Keidel. Around 5000 euros have been collected at every charity tournament in recent years. The tournament was founded in 1991 by Manfred Gresch, board member of both clubs. “He especially inspired his seniors for this tournament,” recalls Keidel.
Golf Club is the most loyal supporter of the Bottrop Children’s Village in the Gambia.
“The golf club is our most loyal supporter,” says Gerrits about the decades-long cooperation. “Many members of the golf club also sponsor for our children’s village.” As a result, the Bottrop Children’s Village now has 260 sponsors who have taken on 320 sponsorships. The Gambia Cup on Sunday is supported by Immobilien Thiemann, Sparkasse Bottrop and Bäcker Sporkmann.
