The organisers of an annual charity golf tournament are focusing their fundraising efforts on young people and their education this year.

The committee behind the 15th annual Ross (Blackie) Talbot Charity Classic announced on Wednesday that it was launching education awards for deprived students who could not afford to complete their degrees abroad.

Committee member Wayne Jackson told a press conference: ?Our theme this year is educating our youth.

?The reason we wanted to do this this year, which is a slight bit of a change from what we have normally done in past years, is to try to do our bit, our little part, in ensuring the future of Bermuda.

?The way to do that is to educate our young people.

?Without educating the young people of Bermuda I?m afraid our future looks pretty dismal.? It is hoped this year?s three-day tournament ? which takes place between April 18 and 20 ? will raise more than $300,000 for the education awards and the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Foundation plus Raleigh International Bermuda, Knowledge Quest and the Masterworks Foundation.

Mr. Jackson said the education awards would allow students to complete the third and fourth years of their degrees overseas.

Clement Talbot, chairman of the tournament?s organising committee and son of the late entertainer Ross (Blackie) Talbot, said: ?In essence, any young Bermudians that for whatever reason find themselves lacking the necessary financial means to complete their overseas education can submit an application to the RTB Charity Classic for financial assistance.

?The entire organising committee and myself are very proud of this and we believe that it will bring immense benefit to the community.?

Tyco International Ltd has donated $10,000 towards the awards. David Carrick, the company?s director of finance, said it was very proud to be able to aid education in Bermuda.

?We believe that the education and investment in our youth everywhere is of paramount importance to everyone?s future and consequently our donation to assist Bermudian students with overseas further education only seems appropriate.?

The golf tournament is sponsored by the Bank of Bermuda and will be held at Riddell?s Bay Golf and Country Club. A gala banquet and prize-giving, sponsored by Bacardi and featuring the Ross (Blackie) Talbot In-the-Swing Orchestra, will take place at the Fairmont Southampton on April 21. For information on the tournament, gala and how to apply for an education award visit www.rbtcharitygolf.org.