Golfing legend Sir Nick Faldo was among a glittering list of participants and guests for the inaugural MEHA Celebrity Golf Invitational charity tournament in California. Faldo, a six-time Major champion, found himself alongside Caitlyn Jenner, actor Billy Zane, Olympic pole vault medalist Alysha Newman, and British businessman David Reuben.
Notable Guests and Participants
Environmentalist and author Helga Piaget and Joel Nagel, owner of the Vienna Vikings American football team, were also among the guests at the Celebrity Course in Indian Wells. The tournament was hosted and organised by Daphne Barak, an interviewer and broadcaster who is also a cancer survivor, alongside her partner Erbil Gunasti.
Fundraising for Cancer Research
Backed by DP World, the sponsor of golf's World Tour, the MEHA (Make Everyone Healthy Again) tournament raised funds for cancer awareness and pioneering new treatments. Proceeds went to the Daphne and Bill Foundation in collaboration with the University of California San Diego.
Sir Nick brought his clubs to Indian Wells and faced each participating team on a par-three hole for a 'beat the pro!' contest. The three-time Masters winner prevailed on every occasion, much to the delight of the crowd.
Message of Health and Hope
Speaking about his return to the Palm Springs desert area, Faldo said: 'The message is very good – make everyone healthy again. We can all look after ourselves. We can all do better.' He later presented a knitted green jacket to Daphne Barak, echoing the winner's ceremony at the famous Masters tournament held annually at Augusta, Georgia.
The overall winners of this first MEHA Tournament were a team of Navy Seals based at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. In recognition of their achievement, they will be guests of the DP World Tour at next year's Masters competition in Augusta.
Organiser's Call to Action
Speaking afterwards, Daphne Barak – who celebrated her birthday that same weekend – insisted that good health was even more important than golf. 'Please go and get checked… ASAP,' she said. 'You must know in the early stage if you have cancer to have a chance of a positive outcome. If I can beat cancer, you can do it too.'
