The Red Sea Bulletin decided to kick off its 10th Anniversary year with a charity event Golf4Charity aimed at helping the development and lives of the Beja Bedouin Tribes of Shelateen and Marsa Alam. So in cooperation with El Gouna Golf Course and Fair Trade Egypt under the auspices of the Red Sea Governorate the two day event took place on the 30th – 31st May 2008.

The event was sponsored by ASIC (Al Salouma Investment Company), Abu Heta – Toyota, ETCO Canon and Property Hotspots.

Hospitality over the two day event was provided by Steigenberger and Hilton Plaza whilst prizes for the two main golf events and the putting competition were donated by Canon, the prizes included ETCO Canon MX310 All-in-one device, A720 digital camera, Selphy Photo Printer, MD110 Video Camera and much, much more.

El Gouna Golf Course hosted the event and the competitions were played on the 18 hole championship course which was designed by Gene Bates and Fred Couples with all levels of players in mind.

The Beja women had brought their handmade items to sell on the day and the attention to detail on the jewellery, belts and bags were amazing. One of the Beja ladies explained that it took maybe one week to make the leather handbags as they had to soften and work the leather.

The Shalateen dancers entertained the golfers and guests in the shade of the golf pavilion, while they waited to tee-off.

Abu Heta Toyota proudly displayed 2 of their top of the range cars, for all the guests to view. ETCO Canon displayed a photographic exhibition depicting the lives of the Beja people. The images and the people were stunning and lined the columns of the pavilion.

The media attended the event on mass including OTV, Channel 8, Channel 2, Egypt Satellite and El Ahram Weekly and Community Times. 

The golf event itself comprised a Teams of Four Texas Scramble competition on the first day and an Individual Tournament on the following day. The players tee-off at 8pm on Friday morning for the Texas Scramble Team competition the results shown below.

FRIDAY, May 30, 2008

Winner Prize Sponsor

Nearest to the Pin 3 nights half board Sultan Bey Hotel El Gouna

Mr. Malcolm Wright For 2 persons in double room

3rd Place Team Selphy Photo Printer ETCO Canon

Mr. Hassan Sedec Shaharazade Wine Egy Bev El Gouna

Mr. Klaus Christandl 

Mr. Lucas Christandl

Mr. Sebastian Krug

Runner Up Team A 720 – Digital Camera ETCO Canon

Mrs. Conny Raima Shaharazade Wine Egy Bev El Gouna

Mr. Jerome Belin

Mr. Maarten van den Broeck

Mr. Sylvie Verbanck

Winner Team MD 110 – Video Camera ETCO Canon

Mr. Colin Hardie Shaharazade Wine Egy Bev El Gouna

Mrs. Erika Schlienz

Mr. Gamal Moawad

Mrs. Izabela Wawryszuk

The teams and organisers enjoyed a buffet lunch between 2-4pm in the colonial style surroundings of the el Gouna Golf Club House this was laid on by the Steigenberger Golf Resort.

In parallel with the main golf event a fun putting competition was held for the parents and kids. 

At the end of the first day everyone headed for Abu Tig Marina for the Golf Gala Dinner, where the prizes for both days events were on display. The diners were entertained by the folkloric Shalateen Dancers who performed traditional dances, and guests left with surplus energy were able to join the Abu Tig Marina weekly party night.

Throughout both days spectators and participants were able to browse around the ETCO Canon photographic exhibition illustrating the life’s and culture of the nomadic Bedouin tribes living in the Deep South. The craft fair organised by Fair Trade Egypt featured artwork, embroidery, jewellery, and textiles all hand crafted by the various tribes and available for purchase. This proved a great success over the two days. 

The results for the Individual competition as shown below:-

SATURDAY, May 31, 2008

Player Prize Sponsor

3rd Place MX 310 – All-in-one Device ETCO Canon

Abdel Moneim Bagath 2 nights half board Steigenberger Al Dau Resort Hrg

For 2 persons in double room

3 x 18 holes / 2 persons Madinat Makadi Golf Resort

Runner Up Ixus 80 – Digital Camera ETCO Canon

Sylvie Verbanck 3 nights half board Moevenpick Resort El Gouna

For 2 persons in double room

3 x 18 holes / 2 persons Madinat Makadi Golf Resort

Winner MC 140 – Video Camera ETCO Canon

Ross Mc. Grath 7 nights half board Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna

For 2 persons in double room

3 x 18 holes / 2 persons Madinat Makadi Golf Resort

Hole in One / Friday 3 nights half board Sultan Bey Hotel 

Mr. Gamal Moawed (Pro) For 2 persons in double room El Gouna

1 Double Parasailing Flight The Orange Concept,

El Gouna

1 Day Baby Sitting Les Petites Nursery,

El Gouna

The conclusion of the second day the prizes for all events were presented by Markus Krakhofer and the closing speeches given by Fair Trade Egypt who thanked everyone for their support and generosity in aid of such a worthwhile cause.