Golfing for a cause

The inaugural SMU Charity Golf Classic was held successfully at the Singapore Island Country Club’s new course on 28 July 2016 which saw an enthusiastic turnout from SMU staff, students and their parents, alumni, as well as corporate and individual well-wishers.

Organised by the Office of Advancement with support from the SMU Golf Club, the event  raised over $160,000 for the SMU Steven Miller Scholarship, a needs based endowed scholarship assisting needy students at the School of Information Systems (SIS). The scholarships will help to attract and recruit the brightest students to join SIS and students who may otherwise lack the financial resources to consider an education at SMU.  It will also allow the School to grow the talent pool within the industry.  

There were some anxious moments an hour before tee-off when inclement weather threatened to put paid to months of hard work. Thankfully, the rain stopped just before the scheduled tee-off at 1.30pm, and the cool weather offered a much welcomed relief to the golfers.

After conquering the 18-hole course, the golfers and SMU staff tucked into a sumptuous dinner amidst the breath-taking sunset with a cold glass of beer in hand. Mr Robert Yap, Chairman of SIS Board of Advisors, thanked the donors and the organising committee for their efforts in helping to raise funds for needy students at SMU. Mr Yap also thanked Professor Steven Miller, who stepped down as founding dean of SIS in July this year, for his contributions to the School. “Steve’s relentless energy, vision, drive, commitment and leadership in building a world-class School of Information Systems at SMU is now a reality. Without a doubt, a rare and tremendous lifetime achievement,” said Mr Yap. Professor Miller is now Vice Provost (Research) at SMU.

Ms Chan Wai Leng, Director of Advancement said, “SMU is thankful for the support of the SMU Community and from our donors in helping to raise funds for the SMU Steven Miller Scholarship to provide needy students with the opportunity to fulfil their academic and career goals. The event also afforded SMU faculty, staff, student volunteers and our donors the opportunity to interact and get to know the university better.”

Our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who took part this year.  We would like to thank Daimler South East Asia for sponsoring the Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 as the hole-in-one prize, and also to our other corporate and individual donors. Without your active participation and generous support, our inaugural SMU Charity Golf would not have been such a swinging success!

If you wish to contribute to the SMU Steven Miller Scholarship, please visit:  https://giving.smu.edu.sg/givenow/steven-miller

[Featured photo: Mr Robert Yap, Chairman of SMU School of Information Systems Board of Advisors, with Mr Brian Mc Girr Head of Debt Solutions, Asia, International Clients, ABN AMRO; Mr John Tiong, Senior Vice President, Certis Cisco Security, and Mr Ng Yow Meng, Associate Group Director, Orange Tee, who were the Champion, 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up for the individual stroke play stableford competition.]