The Ross "Blackie" Talbot (RBT) Charity Classic celebrated its 16th anniversary this year by continuing the RBT Awards as well as giving donations to The Bermuda Zoological Society, The Adult Education School, YouthNet and the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Foundation.

The Classic, which was held from March 28 to April 2 at the Riddell's Bay Golf Club, is an annual charity event in which local golfers participated in three days of golf.

In 1993, Clement Talbot, the community and Government liaison manager at the Bank of Bermuda, founded the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Charity Classic to raise money for charities in honour of his father's birthday.

Since then the charity event has raised more than $2 million for 55 Bermudian charities, and this year they hope to raise $300,000 for the four charities and the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Educational Awards (RBTEA).

"It amazes me how the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Charity Classic continues to grow year after year.

"This year we had just under 600 golfers playing.", said Talbot.

"There were some outstanding rounds of golf played from Monday morning right up through last evening with golfers playing in Stapleford and Captain's choice format.

"We had players fly in from as far away as Ireland, and I even had our female champion, who is a junior from Colombia, on my team", Talbot continued. "Once our tabulations are done, we are optomistic of reaching our goal of $300,000.

"And to all those in the community who donated graciously, thank you."