KUALA LUMPUR: STARS of the LPGA Tour exchanged sports gear and golf spikes for cocktail dresses and high heels last Tuesday, as the players mingled with the capital’s corporate and social elite at the recent Sime Darby LPGA Charity Gala Dinner.
Coinciding with the tournament’s fifth year celebrations, the annual fundraiser went up a gear this year, providing guests with live entertainment and a few surprises along the way.
Hosted by television personality Elaine Daly, the evening was attended by Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah Hamidun.
It featured live stage performances by Adibah Noor, Ning Baizura, Jaclyn Victor and jazz icon, Datuk Sheila Majid. The four divas were joined by stand-up comedian Harith Iskander. A fashion show, curated by Elle Malaysia and featuring some of Malaysia’s top fashion designers, followed.
The evening was rounded off in spectacular style with star appearances on the catwalk by professional golfers Natalie Gulbis, Jennifer Rosales and local players Kelly Tan and Jean Chua.
The evening’s menu was designed by Masterchef Malaysia winner Dr Ezani Monoto, and featured crab Rangoon, seared Hokkaido scallop and tamarind gula Melaka glazed shrimp.
The event was held to raise money for official tournament charitable partner Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation.
The funds, which were raised thought ticket sales and a silent auction of items such as golf equipment and clothing autographed by golfers Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr, art pieces by Majid and Zanial Abidin , and a mother-of-pearl rose necklace called Noir Et Blanc La Mode, , will support the foundation’s work to raise awareness and fight breast cancer in Malaysia.