Casey’s $100,000 charity donation set to win over US fans

THERE was a time when Paul Casey wondered what sort of reception he would be given by American golf fans.

The morning after losing to Ian Poulter in the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play in Tucson, Casey flew to Texas and announced he and his American wife were donating 100,000 US dollars – nearly £65,000 – to local charities.

It was a pledge the world number six made on capturing his first US Tour title 10 months ago, and he said: “This is something Jocelyn and I feel very strongly about.”

The couple have worked with Houston Golf Association president and chief executive officer Steve Timms to determine how exactly the gift will be used.

That will be announced in the week of the tournament, and Timms commented: “When Paul recently informed us of the amount of the donation, you can imagine how excited we got. This is wonderful.”

His association have generated nearly £35million for local charities since 1974, most of that coming since the Shell oil company became title sponsor in 1992.

Casey went through a rough spell in the States following his comment after the 2004 Ryder Cup that the European team “hate” the Americans during the week of the match.

He received abusive mail and was heckled on one occasion in Florida.

Giving back to the sport that has made him millions comes on both sides of the Atlantic, as the 32-year-old has set up the Paul Casey Foundation in Britain.

Through the Youth Sport Trust it provides thousands of young people with opportunities to develop skills in a range of sports, and 50 primary schools in South West London and Surrey are being provided with resources that will enable them to run a multi-skill festival later this year.