Organisers of this year’s Tryall-CUMI charity golf tournament are thrilled at the support they received for the event that will help fund their operations for the next year. They surpassed their $3-million target and attracted more than the 80 players they had hoped would turn up. Now they are looking at whether they can scale up.

“We had to turn away a few [players] and so we have to talk with [director of golf at Tryall Ewan] Peebles to see if we can maximise on this. There are plans afoot to try and increase or develop this golf tournament,” said chair for the Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill (CUMI), Trina DeLisser.

“The start was incredible with 40 golf carts going off, the energy was just amazing and I have to thank each and every one of the golfers…It’s not just about supporting but it’s [also about] having a good time so…we know they’ll return again next year if this can all come together again,” she added.

Jodi Munn and her partner Robert Chin walked away with first place for this year’s event after finishing fourth last year. They were happy with the result.

“It’s always a thrill to play well and come out on top. It was a lot of competition and we both played really well, we didn’t get in any trouble and sunk a lot of putts and here we are,” Munn remarked.

Her partner Chin concurred.

“We just had a great round, played some good shots and we putted well, that’s what golf is all about and we had a good time,” he stated.

Munn, who is also the president of the Jamaica Golf Association, was pleased at the level of support shown for the charity event.

“Once again the support from the Jamaican golfing fraternity was tremendous for CUMI. It’s a great charity to support and we are very pleased with the amount of golfers that turned out today,” she said.

Launched in 1990, CUMI’s mission is to improve the quality of life, physical and mental health of St James’ mentally ill.