Film star Michael Douglas handed out certificates to a host of sponsors who have helped raise nearly $2 million for charity over 15 years.

The annual Ross (Blackie) Talbot Charity classic started out as a surprise birthday tournament for the popular entertainer in 1992. Since then, it has become one of Bermuda’s biggest fund-raising events, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to worthy causes every year.

Keen golfer Mr. Douglas, one of the regulars in the tournament, showed up at Tuckers Point Club with actress wife Catherine Zeta Jones to join the celebrations for the event’s fifteenth anniversary.

He made a brief speech and presented certificates to long-serving sponsors who have backed the charity since it began. Mr. Douglas told the crowd he admired the hard work of organiser Clement Talbot. “Having a charity golf tournament of my own, I have some ideas of the difficulties of finding sponsors and keeping them,” said the Hollywood actor. “The idea that 12 sponsors have been with you for 15 years is an extraordinary compliment to you, Clem, and the organisation that you run.

“We have a hell of a lot of fun — we have a good time out there. I got an opportunity to play here seven years ago and it’s a gas, so credit to all of you.”Mr. Douglas then posed for photographs with each of the long-serving sponsors, as his wife heckled: “Smile honey!” from the crowd.

Mr. Talbot gave an emotional speech, thanking everybody for their contributions over the years. “It seems like yesterday that 28 of my father’s friends gathered at Castle Harbour Golf Course some 15 years ago to celebrate his 75th birthday,” he said. “Who would have visualised that surprise birthday tournament would have grown to be one of Bermuda’s most successful charity events?”

Sponsors receiving certificates were: Ace Insurance; Argus Insurance; Bank of Bermuda; Bacardi International; Butterfield Bank; C.D.&P.; D.&J. Construction; Elan/Dr. Panoz & Friends; Hemisphere Management/Bisys; Kintore Investments; Schroders; and X.L. Insurance.

This year’s three-day tournament, which takes place between April 18 and 20, will raise more than $300,000 for the launch of education awards for deprived students, the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Foundation, Raleigh International Bermuda, Knowledge Quest and the Masterworks Foundation.