Companies are teeing up today to raise money for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, a programme that has helped the Island's youth for more than 40 years.

The 3rd Annual Golf Challenge at the Mid Ocean Golf Club will see 20 young participants from schools including Berkeley Institute, Warwick Academy, Saltus and Bermuda High School compete in 14 teams, alongside gold-level sponsors including Argos, Butterfield & Vallis, Conyers Dill & Pearman, Flagstone Reassurance Suisse and Tokio Millennium.

According to organiser Karen Marsh, of golf event organisation To a Tee Bermuda, the challenge gives youth exposure to the sport, and is also a great opportunity for the young people to "mix and mingle with movers and shakers in these companies".

It also gives the sponsors a chance to talk with youth about their experiences in the Duke of Edinburgh programme and learn first hand how the programme has benefited them.

Most importantly the golf challenge serves to raise money to support and promote the Duke of Edinburgh programme on the Island implemented in public and private schools, as well as within the Co-Educational Correctional Facility.

The award for young people aged 14 to 25, is internationally recognised and encourages young people to excel in areas such as community service, skills, physical recreation and an adventurous activity.

According to Nic Trollope, a trustee of the award, it also gives young people a chance to set and achieve personal goals.

It is important, particularly for at risk youth, Mr. Trollope said. "It will enable the not so advantaged to realise their full potential, by giving them a programme that doesn't require academic hurdles to jump over, to participate in (it)."

Mr. Trollope, who worked for almost 12 months to get business partners on board with the project, said: 'I think we have been very fortunate this year given the financial climate, that we have had a good number of organisations that support the young people of Bermuda engaged in the award."

Other gold-level sponsors include: Aspen, Assured Guaranty, Chevron, IAS, Max Capital, Partner Re, Renaissance Re, Schroders and Trustees of the Award.

Other supporting sponsors include: Chartis, AP Moller, BELCO, BF&M, Butterfield Bank, Catlin, Capital G, CNA Butterfield Insurance, Deloitte, Fidelity and Orbis.