Brett Crawford and Ian Longmore cooling off after a tough day
The Lyall Cooper Fundraiser Golf Day held in glorious sunshine at the scenic Atlantic Beach Links Golf Estate in Melkbosstrand on the Cape West Coast on Friday was another fine example of the racing community standing together in support of a colleague in need.
Popular 4Racing TV on-course presenter Lyall Cooper was diagnosed with cancer in June and has found, like so many before him, that even with provision and planning, serious illness can be a debilitating financial burden that many do not recover from.
Paul Barrett (middle) surrounded by his champion fourball
The Golf day fundraiser was organised by Joanne Knowles, wife of Cape presenter Grant Knowles, and proved a great success, raising over R32 000, with a small quality field of golfers competing for glory in the name of a great cause.
Longstanding Cape owner Paul Barrett’s fourball teed their way to the top spot, followed by Grant Knowles’ fourball, Brett Crawford’s fourball, with retired champion jockey Glen Hatt’s fourball rounding off an illustrious quartet.
Retired jockey Glen Hatt gives the thumbs up
Joanne Knowles of Equine Marketing Solutions thanked the sponsors and participants for their ‘tremendous support’.
The honours list included Gaynor Rupert, Golfers Club, Garth Rowe, Brett & James from Crawford Racing, World Sports Betting, Bruce & Jo Gardner, Rainbow Beach Trading, TAB and Central Route Trading.
Lyall’s family and his fiancee, Charlene Basilio, are facing challenging times with mounting medical bills.
However, they will have gained great strength from the fact that the horseracing is rallying around in their time of need.
If you would like to chip in, Lyall is on BackaBuddy. Click here to read more.
Nico Kritsiotis has also facilitated a medical assistance fund with the assistance of Rowan Furman and his team of attorneys.
The account is at Nedbank. Branch code 580015. EFT acc: 50020803119.
