TRYALL, Hanover — Organisers have hailed last Saturday’s second staging of the CUMI-Tryall Charity Golf Tournament held at the Tryall Golf Course in Hanover, as a tremendous success.

According to preliminary figures, more than $2 million was raised from the fund-raiser, which two years ago replaced CUMI’s annual road race.

The charity organisation had set itself a target of $2 million.

Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill (CUMI) chair and chief organiser for the tournament, Trina DeLisser, told the Jamaica Observer West that the funds raised will allow the organisation to continue their work in helping to treat individuals with mental challenges.

“This has raised money for CUMI which is the Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill and this has raised money so that we can continue helping people, sometimes people off the streets with their mental issues,” she remarked, following the completion of the 18-hole event.

“We have a day rehabilitation centre open from Monday to Friday on Isaac Dylan road. That is what we are raising money for, to be able to continue the treatment and help for the mentally ill.”

Nurse administrator at the facility, Joy Crooks, said the support over the years for CUMI has been great.

“It’s a fantastic feeling to find out that after 31 years we can still garner this sort of support for CUMI. Most people are very happy to contribute and join in. Our targeted clientèle are those who are vulnerable people, they need help with mental health issues. Mental health issues are the biggest issues on the top of the health chart these days and this will just give us another chance to keep going another year,” she explained.

Despite the threat of rain on Saturday, 64 players turned out at the Tryall Golf Course for the tournament.

Among those participating were race car driver Doug Gore and his dad Neil. The younger Gore said the pair will be back again.

“It’s for a good cause, it’s going for charity so although we are race car drivers, we definitely wanted to come out and be a part of this. So, it’s a good thing in what they are doing and we are looking forward to many more tournaments like this with them,” he remarked.

Coming out on top with scores of 10 under par were the pair of Carlylse Hudson and Peter Chin. They were followed closely by the team of William and Radcliffe Knibbs who finished with a score of 10.3 under par.

DeLisser lauded the participants and sponsors for their support.

“We have had excellent support,” she stressed.

“Excellent support from our sponsors, some came from last year, some are new sponsors coming in and from the golfers — a large portion of the golfers competed last year and they made sure they wanted to come back this year. I really feel good about the tournament, we’ve raised right about our target and I really want to say thank you to Tryall, Stewart’s, Appleton and all our sponsors and prize givers.”