thanks to a charity golf tournament set up in his honour.

One Hundred and fifty thousand dollars was raised for charity from the 9th Annual Ross `Blackie' Talbot Charity Invitational Golf Tournament, and part of the proceeds will go to a foundation aimed at promoting music in Bermuda.

Mr. Talbot, who died last November at the age of 82, was instrumental in helping to organise the event, which he helped set up with his son after retiring from a long and successful career as a musician.

The amount exceeded the organisers goal by $50,000, and because of this a cheque for $100,000 was donated to this year's designated charity, FOCUS Counselling services, while a second check for $50,000 was donated to the Ross Blackie Talbot foundation.

Mr. Talbot's son and Chairman of the annual tournament, Clement Talbot, said the tournament had been an outstanding success and attributed that success to the tremendous support from the entire community and the tournament sponsors.

Foundation trustee, Bill Thompson explained that in 1999, a charitable trust was set up, and yesterday they made an application to become a registered Bermuda charity.

Mr. Thomson explained how the foundation came about and said: "The motivation came from `Blackie' as he frequently spoke with great passion about the need to promote public awareness of the value of musical education to Bermudian youth, to provide musical education scholarships, finance musical productions featuring primarily Bermudian youth and provide funding for music lessons and the purchase of musical instruments.

"The contribution of $50,000 being made from the proceeds of this year's tournament, with the support of our major sponsors, will greatly help establish a fund to support these goals for many years to come.'' In the swing: Chairman of the Ross `Blackie' Talbot Memorial Charity Invitational Golf Tournament, Clement Talbot is pictured with Trustee of the Ross `Blackie' Talbot Foundation, Bill Thompson (left) and Chairman of FOCUS Counselling services, Rory Gorman (right).