Ramayah, who played in 13 World Cups, said he was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Professional Golf Association of Malaysia (PGAM) and Metro Eldercare.

The fundraiser saw 40 amateurs and eight professionals playing, with flight fees of RM5,000, at the Impian Golf and Country Club.

In addition to the RM109,800 raised in the pro-am, a Mizuno bag and an iron set, similar to the one used by Ramayah, fetched RM5,000 at an auction. A Titleist bag and stealth iron went for RM3,000.

PGAM president Chong Chee Ming said it was the least they could do for a “fine gentleman and true advocate of the game” who believed in giving back to the sport after his career as a professional golfer ended.

The effort by PGAM brings the total amount of donations for Ramayah’s medical treatment close to RM200,000.

FMT, the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) and MySportsFlame, a group of former sportswriters, had rallied public aid for Ramayah after an FMT report last week that he was battling spinal cancer.

Ramayah, who ruled national and regional golf from the 1970s to the 1990s, is now under hospice care provided for free by Metro Eldercare.

Ramayah was transferred from Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM in Cheras yesterday to the nursing home at Section 6 here.

He is bedridden, with severe physical changes, and is on a soft diet.

Metro Eldercare founder Ramesh Chelliah said he was offering the services for free to Ramayah “out of respect for a great sportsman, who has made the nation proud and inspired many through golf”.

“It is only right for us to provide him the best care, and we want the family to know they are not alone in their time of need,” he said.