Golf: Lee gives Bay cash boost

MUCH APPRECIATED: Danny Lee has made a generous donation to Bay of Plenty Golf. PHOTO/FILE

Danny Lee has donated $90,000 to help progress the development of the game in New Zealand.

The money will be split equally between New Zealand Golf, Bay of Plenty Golf and his home club in Rotorua, Springfield Golf Club. Each organisation has committed to use the funds to assist in Lee's goal of progressing the development of the game.

Lee's generosity comes from his debut at the Presidents Cup last October in Incheon City, Korea. The players are not personally paid but are allocated a share of the proceeds generated to donate to chosen charitable causes.

"I am honoured to be able to further support and donate these funds to New Zealand Golf," world number 35 Lee said.

"I started playing golf through them as a child and they greatly supported my golfing development. I hope we can help grow the game of golf in New Zealand, and I look forward to being back in New Zealand one day soon."

Bay of Plenty District Association executive director Chris McAlpine says this is a tremendous boost.

"It means so much to us for Danny to have kept in touch and what a marvellous way to show his gratitude," McAlpine said.

"One of the major aims of Bay of Plenty Golf is to assist in the development of young golfers in helping them reach potential. It's really rewarding when we see the likes of Josh Geary who first represented the Bay as a 12 year old competing well internationally.

"It was the Bay of Plenty captain Mark Smith who first suggested we take a look at this 12-year old in the Rotorua Boys' High School Golf Academy going by the name of Danny Lee and the prodigious talent was immediately obvious.

"The few short years that he represented the Bay were really special. His cheeky humour was infectious and he mixed really well with his peers. Danny loved his time here which was endorsed by his wish to take up New Zealand citizenship.

"He has always kept in contact and I personally had a special time catching up with him at the Open at St. Andrews last year. It's a truly marvellous gesture for him to remember his roots and choose his home district and club as beneficiaries of his President Cup grant."

New Zealand Golf CEO Dean Murphy says "we are incredible humbled to receive this donation from Danny Lee".

"We are extremely proud of Danny and his achievements at the highest level on the world stage and we are so pleased that he remains so close and committed to New Zealand Golf".