THE Couples Resorts Jamaica 12th Annual Charity Golf Tournament takes place today at the Sandals Golf & Country Club at Upton, St Ann.

Sponsored by Digicel, the two-man scramble format event will have registration and sign-in at 10:30 am, with a shotgun start an hour later. It is confined to amateurs only and all proceeds from the event will benefit local charities, which are usually the Port Maria Hospital, the Three Hills Primary School, the Hamilton Mountain Basic School, and The Animal House Jamaica, all located in St Mary and St Ann.

Over the years, the tournament has raised in excess of $10 million for local charities, with as much as $1.2 million being raised over the past couple of years.

The tournament is the brainchild of multiple repeat guests of the hotel, Gene and Jane Saks, and Alan and Josie Kline, who wanted to find a way to 'give back' to the country and people they care so much for.

This year's event appears to be well supported, based on registration so far. Couples Resorts CEO Glenn Lawrence has been entered along with Richard White, Winston Johnson, Greg Chung, Khaleel Azan, Tony Smith, Tony Gooden, Jeffrey Dujon, Dougie Stiebel, Dennis Robotham, Ian Garbutt, Jason Garbutt, Nigel Davey, Dale Wanlis, Peter Proudlock, Sebastian Ogden, Frank Jackson, Peter Lindo, Anthony Hill, John McFarlane, John Marcochio, Bob Lowe, Patrick McIntosh, Errol Smith, Fitzroy Hearst, Sean Morris, John Brennan, Dale Delapenha, Andrew Brennan, George Watt, Jimmy Wright, Ian Royal, Glenroy Stephenson, Dudley Wilson, Neil Baugh, Dr Cleo Taylor, Donald Chong, Lance Bailey, Robert Florea, Joey Muzgay, Rick Lowie, and Sean Williams.

Others include Alan Kline, Gene Saks, Frank McNeice, Frank McFadden, Nick Borie, Kenny Vogel, Peter Joyce, and Kenneth Brooker.

The cost for entry is US$85.

Digicel aside, other sponsors include ICWI, West Indies Alliance, BCIC, General Accident and Advantage General, and prizes include gift baskets, compliments of Carbbean Producers, Huawei Media Pads; complimentary excursions, day passes and hotel stays at Couples Resort.