The Ross (Blackie) Talbot (RBT) Charity Golf Classic will celebrate its 18th anniversary this year by continuing the RBT Awards programme.

It will also see the tournament – one of the most popular on the Island – raise funds for Meals on Wheels, Big Brothers and Sisters, WindReach, Masterworks, the National Dance Foundation and RBT Educational Awards.

The Classic, which will be held from April 5 to 7 at Riddell's Bay, is an annual charity event in which local golfers take part over three days under various formats.

It was back in 1993, Clement Talbot, the community and Government liaison manager at the Bank of Bermuda, founded the Classic to raise money for charities in honour of his father's birthday. And in every year since it has grown, having started as a one-day tournament.

Now, in order to accomodate the hundreds of golfers who want to take part, it runs over three days with tee-off times in both morning and afternoon.

Since the first tournament, the event has raised in excess of $2.5 million, all of it handed over to 70 various charities.

This year organisers hope to raise $200,000 for the five charities and the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Educational Awards (RBTEA).

"I must thank our lead sponsor, HSBC Bermuda, and particular Philip Butterfield, for their continued and significant support of the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Charity Classic," said Talbot. "Without their continued support, it wouldn't be possible for myself and my committee to organise and manage this major annual community event.

"Also, to the corporate sponsors, our volunteers, the RBT committee and the community in general who have continued to show support year after year."

As with in previous years, the 2010 grand raffle will generate over $100,000 in prizes and promises to be one of the biggest yet. Prizes include a Hyundai Tucson car, a seven-day cruise and British Airways World Traveller tickets.

Butterfield, CEO of HSBC Bermuda, stated: "We are extremely proud to be in a position to sponsor the RBT Charity Classic.

"I have said it repeatedly that we consider education to be one of the most important needs in community, now more then ever.

"We also certainly firmly support this year's addition of Helping Youth at Risk and of course Assisting the Seniors, two vital causes in today's environment."