Hua Hin, Thailand: Kim Sih-wan was not the only big winner at the inaugural International Series Thailand.

While Kim’s exploits brought him a deserved victory at Black Mountain Golf Club, there was delight also at the Bright Dawn Foundation, the first organisation to benefit from the Asian Tour’s International Series philanthropy drive.

The Bright Dawn Foundation, which focuses primarily on healthcare and education of primary school children in lower income areas around rural Hua Hin, has been presented with a cheque for US$25,000.

“Bright Dawn is deeply honoured and extremely grateful to be the first recipients of this new initiative by the Asian Tour,” said Jill Moore, President, Bright Dawn Foundation.

She added: “We are a small charitable foundation that is entirely dependent on private donations and a donation of this magnitude goes a long way to helping us achieve our annual goals, even more so in these times of global turmoil.

“We genuinely believe that the Asian Tour is helping us to change lives. Thank you so very much from all of us at the Bright Dawn Foundation. This is a hand up, not a hand out,” said Moore.

The Foundation was established in 2010 and looks after five schools and 645 children

Through the new ground-breaking 10-event International Series, which began last week at the International Series Thailand at Hua Hin’s Black Mountain, the Asian Tour will contribute to at least one charity at each of the destinations visited.

“What the Bright Dawn Foundation does for the community is remarkable and the Asian Tour is delighted to be able to make a contribution to their efforts. They have our utmost respect,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour, a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“It is really important for us to contribute to local communities particularly as we travel to so many countries. And, of course, the children being helped could be the next generation of professional golfers. We want to help out the communities that help us so much,” added Cho.