DERRICK Dalrymple and Warren Gordon emerged as the top net scorers at the 24th annual Couples Resorts Ocho Rios Charity Golf Tournament, while Zandre Roye and Oshae Haye claimed the coveted gross-score title at an event that raised $2.8 million for paediatric health-care initiatives in Jamaica.

The annual tournament, staged at the 18-hole, par 72 Sandals Golf and Country Club in Ocho Rios, once again married competitive golf with philanthropy, with proceeds from this year’s staging earmarked for continued work on the Mary ISSA Paediatric and Adoloscent Health Centre.

Rowe and Haye produced the best gross score of the tournament to secure first place in that category, earning a three-night stay in an Oceanview room at Couples Tower Isle or Couples Swept Away.

Dalrymple and Gordon, meanwhile, topped the net competition, also earning a three-night Oceanview stay.

The pair were followed by Mark Newnham and Jodi Munn-Barrow in second, Teddy Alexander and Greg Chong in third.

For Dalrymple, the victory was particularly satisfying given his previous participation in the tournament.

“It’s a wonderful feeling, it’s paradise,” Dalrymple said. “The game was good, this man [Gordon] supported me all the way and I supported him.”

He said the partnership was built around mutual support throughout the round.

Dalrymple, who said this was approximately his third time participating in the event, also expressed his appreciation for the tournament and its charitable purpose.

Swinging first from the back-9, Gordon pointed to their quick start and concentration throughout as the main reason behind their success.

“Once we get past the first two holes and it was back-to-back birdies, we settled in, and we just did well going forward. We said, no boogies on the card and we did that,” said Gordon.

While the golfers battled for honours on the course, the tournament’s greater purpose was reflected in the significant funds raised.

Alex Ghisays, group PR director at Couples Resorts, said the $2.8-million contribution would support the expansion of paediatric healthcare services through the Issa Trust Foundation.

“For the past 20 years, the Issa Trust Foundation, of which I am proud to have been a board member since inception, has been committed to improving the health and well-being of children in Jamaica,” Ghisays said.

She said the foundation was now building on that work through the development of the Mary Issa Paediatric and Adolescent Health Centre, a 9,000-square-foot facility in Richmond, St Ann.

The centre is expected to expand access to paediatric and adolescent care, mental health, vision and specialist services, including cardiology and nephrology, for children and families from across Jamaica.

“Building on this legacy, the Foundation is working to bring the Mary Issa Paediatric and Adolescent Health Centre to life,” Ghisays said.

The tournament has also established a track record of directing its proceeds towards a range of community and charitable causes.

Last year, funds raised were used to complete perimetre fencing at Three Hills Primary School at a cost of $1.6 million, while a substantial contribution was also made to the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Ghisays thanked the golfers, sponsors and other supporters whose contributions made this year’s fund-raising possible.

The tournament also featured several individual prizes, including closest-to-the-pin honours and a putting contest.