Birdies 4 Rhinos, a fundraising initiative supported by the skilled golf group the place collaborating gamers donate cash for each birdie they make all through the season, has fashioned a partnership with Rhino Whisky.
Birdies 4 Rhinos was initiated and based by tour gamers Justin Walters and Dean Burmester, each of whom are passionate concerning the conservation of African wildlife. Residing in South Africa, they share a priority for the survival of the Rhino and wish to assist forestall the extinction of the indigenous species, the place attainable, to be loved for generations to return.
This comes on the again of back-to-back tour victories for Burmester, who gained the Joburg Open and the South African Open in December with a giant haul of birdies, serving to elevate much more cash Birdies for Rhinos within the course of.
Thus far, there are 21 tour gamers signed as much as the charity, together with the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Edoardo Molinari, Richard Bland, Nicole Garcia and Stacy Bregman, to call a couple of.
Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard Moller completed on the prime of the 2023 Birdies 4 Rhinos leaderboard after amassing 417 birdies all through the season, beating Ewen Ferguson by solely 15 birdies. Fleetwood completed third with 385 birdies in his first yr of participating in supporting the charity.
The highest three gamers have all obtained an invite to a visit to Sabi Sands in South Africa to see how the cash that they’ve helped elevate is getting used to assist protect the rhino and battle again towards the poachers who’re nonetheless attempting to kill these superb animals for his or her horns.
Every of the highest three may even obtain a bottle of Rhino Whisky, whereas Moller will obtain a specifically commissioned trophy that was made by South African artist Charlotte Van Dyk.
Final season, contributors of Birdies 4 Rhinos managed to lift over R500,000 (£21,500) and this yr they hope to exceed it. Walters and Burmester have invited extra gamers to affix them in elevating cash for this nice trigger, which is at the moment donated to the Related Conservation Basis.
Burmester commented: “Justin and I wished to provide again and do our bit to save lots of these nice animals in order that future generations – our youngsters – will be capable of take pleasure in these superb creatures for years to return. By conserving animals for our youngsters and future generations, we safe the pure heritage of our planet, promote sustainability, and supply a basis for a thriving and resilient future for each people and wildlife. Birdies 4 Rhinos is our dedication to guard and move on a wholesome and vibrant world to the generations to return.”
He continued: “The idea of donating winnings while attaining an amazing rating of 1 beneath par, seems like a win-win, and what sportsman may say no to that?”
Walters added: “The conservation of Rhinos is essential for sustaining biodiversity, sustaining wholesome ecosystems, preserving cultural heritage, and guaranteeing the long-term survival of megafauna. It’s an integral part of world conservation efforts and displays our dedication to guard and coexist with the world’s various wildlife.”
Rhino Whisky is a premium single malt scotch, distilled and double cask matured within the Speyside area of Scotland, nonetheless the model is owned and distributed by two South African entrepreneurs, Gerrit Wagener and Brin Kushner, who additionally share a ardour for conservation. Supporting Birdies 4 Rhinos made full sense and is a pure ‘match’ with the model ethos.
Co-founder Gerrit Wagener has an innate love of the Bushveld, its huge open plains and majestic animals was ingrained at an early age. After a company profession in monetary companies, Rhino Whisky has given him the chance to attach together with his early roots and provides again to Africa. Enterprise accomplice Brin Kushner began his profession as a wildlife filmmaker in South Africa. He’s a certified Ranger/Nature information, and nonetheless actively works within the movie trade, however divides his time behind the digital camera escaping to the Bush to {photograph} wildlife and immerse himself in conservation initiatives.
When the Rhino whisky launched, its mission and imaginative and prescient from the offset was to assist the Rhino Orphanage primarily based in Limpopo, South Africa. Gerrit and Brin are devoted to lift funds by donating a beneficiant portion of gross sales of every bottle of Rhino whisky to the Rhino orphanage which is devoted to elevating child Rhino’s orphaned by poachers all through Africa.
When investigating methods to amplify their very own fundraising efforts, founders of Rhino Whisky – avid golf fans themselves – have been thrilled to discover synergies with Birdies 4 Rhinos.
Doc Watson, Chairman of Related Conservation Basis, mentioned: “We’re profoundly grateful for the collaboration between Birdies 4 Rhinos and Rhino Whisky, uniting to generate essential funds for the Related Conservation Basis. The pressing crucial to empower our devoted rangers to safeguard the remaining rhino populations is on the forefront of our mission. Fundraising from Birdies 4 Rhinos and new companions, performs a pivotal function in delivering this ambition.”
In a joint assertion, each organisations now invite the general public and different professionals to affix in on elevating cash for this initiative by donating on to the Rhino Orphanage OR to Related Conservation Basis.
Collectively, their plea is straightforward: “Please assist us save our rhinos, earlier than it’s too late.”
