The charity golf event held in honour of Brian Morris at Government House on Saturday surpassed expectations.

More than 100 male and female participants, starting from the age of six, took part in the Closest To The Pin charity event held in memory of the late Ocean View Golf Club head professional.

“Under breezy but beautiful conditions, over 100 participants battled out the winning positions with a great time being had by all,” Cheryl-Lynne Thompson, the Ocean View Golf Club president and organising committee member, told The Royal Gazette.

“It was particularly special to have a huge field of juniors eager and anxious to compete.

“This was Brian’s dream before he passed in January, so everyone followed his directives in making it happen and we believe it was exactly how he wanted it to be.

“The committee of the Late Brian Morris Closest To the Pin Competition would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors, donors and volunteers.

“It was heartfelt to have Brian’s family present for the day’s event and special thanks to Her Excellency, Governor Rena Lalgie, and the staff of Government House. It was a memorable event.”

The event began with the Governor offering opening remarks to those gathered.

“It’s unfortunate that Brian could not be here to see his vision coming to fruition,” she said. “This is what Brian wanted, really for us to make this happen.”

A minute of silence was also observed in Morris’s memory before the Governor took the first swing at the pin.

Marshall Minors claimed the title among the professionals with his effort finishing 8 feet 7 inches away from the hole.

Michael Newton beat Luis Martins in an exciting play-off to capture the men’s title after their initial efforts both landed 2 feet, 5 inches from the pin.

Ladies honours went to Katrin Burnie (3ft 10 in), while Lachlin Soutter (3 ft 9in) won in the 11-15 junior category and Hunter Roy (13 ft 2in) took home the title among those aged six to ten.

Morris came up with the concept in an attempt to increase awareness of the relationship between Ocean View and Government House, while also strengthening the relationship between Government House and the community to raise funds for charity.

Morris sadly passed away in January after a long battle against brain cancer just two weeks after meeting with Lalgie to discuss preliminary details of the event. However, his fellow organising committee members decided to go ahead with plans to stage the competition in his honour and raise money for cancer treatment centre Pals.

"Proceeds of the event totalled $2,600, which will be given to Pals, as this was the charity that both Brian and Governor Lalgie agreed upon,“ Thompson added.

“Pals was particularly near and dear to Brian’s heart as they were instrumental during his illness.

“We just want to thank everybody that put something into this effort and hopefully we will be able to do it again next year.”