One of Bermuda’s most popular golf tournaments, the Ross ‘Blackie’ Talbot Charity Classic, will be no longer held after next year’s 20th anniversary edition.The annual tournament, held at Riddell’s Bay Golf and Country Club this week, has raised more the $3.2million for more than 75 charities and helped more than 40 students further their education.Clement Talbot, chairman of the management committee, stressed that the “sad and regretful” decision had not been taken lightly.He said it had become impossible to maintain the tournament’s high standards in the current financial climate and wanted to end the Classic on a high note.“It’s with a mixture of sadness and regret today that I inform you that the Ross ‘Blackie’ Talbot Charity Classic’s (RBTCC) executive committee has now reached the decision to close down the event after this our 20th anniversary year,” said Clement, the son of Blackie Talbot.“As you can imagine, this decision has not been reached without a great deal of deliberation.“I must say, it has always been our attention to close the event while we were a leader. We feel that now is the right time. We do, of course, know that many people will be disappointed to hear this news.”Talbot said several members of his long-serving executive committee planned to step down next year and therefore he felt the time was right to call it quits.“It takes a significant sacrifice and commitment to run the tournament and it’s getting more and more difficult to meet the high standards,” he said.“It’s not the force it once was and I don’t want to see it go into decline.“We are convinced our decision is the right one and can only hope that all will agree that the RBTCC has had an impact on Bermuda and our community that my father’s legacy intended, one of integrity, diversity, harmony and goodwill.”The Classic has provided close to $3 million in raffle prizes and hosted more then 8,000 players since it began.Phillip Butterfield, CEO of HSBC Bank Bermuda, believes the shutting down of the Classic will leave a massive gap in the local community.“While we are sincerely disappointed that the RBTCC is coming to an end we do of course fully understand and appreciate the reasons and therefore do of course support the decision,” said Butterfield.“On behalf of all the sponsors, the community and of course the golfers, I say thank you to Clement and his team for what will be 20 most memorable years.”