Bermudian golfer Brian Morris was overcome with emotion after receiving a significant donation to help offset his medical expenses.

Fellow staff, club members, family and friends all pitched in to raise $10,000 to go towards expenses the Ocean View Golf Course head professional has incurred since being diagnosed with stage four brain cancer.

The funds were raised from proceeds of the Thanks and Giving Golf Tournament at the Devonshire facility last Saturday as well as raffles.

Morris was caught completely by surprise as organisers had kept the event a secret.

“It was a surprise tournament brainstormed six months prior to raise funds to assist with the expenses that have been incurred by the pro since being diagnosed with stage four Cancer, or the option to donate part proceeds to the charity of his choice,” Cheryl-Lynne Thompson, the Ocean View Golf Course president, told The Royal Gazette.

“The staff, club, friends and family managed to keep the entire day’s events secret from Brian who was overwhelmed by the gesture.

“Brian was extremely surprised when he arrived at the golf course to learn of this event and even more so when Docksiders hosted and sponsored a lunch/dinner for the participants after the tournament,” said Thompson. “It was an emotional day filled with appreciation and praise for the outstanding work that Brian has contributed over the many years.”

Morris also received a plaque from the Ocean View Golf Club and a cedar carving that was presented by OJ Pitcher, who was representing the general golfing community.

“It was a great time had by all with Brian expressing his heartfelt appreciation to everyone. Brian Morris is a living legend,” Thompson said.

Morris, who fulfilled his dream of playing in a PGA Tour event in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course last month after being extended a sponsor exemption, was moved by the gesture.

“It was awesome to see the amount of support out there,” Morris said. “To see people like that come out and support you makes you fight harder.

He described the occasion as an indication of the camaraderie within the community.

“It’s just awesome that people from all walks of life came and supported. Guys don’t even know each other but they’re all linked through the golfing community.

“This whole situation is bringing people together, it really is. It’s bringing all types of people together; black, white, young, old, male, female, everybody’s together fighting for the same cause,” Morris said.

Team ‘Get Up, Stand Up’, whgich comprised of former cricketers and footballers Kyle Lightbourne, Mark Ray and Leroy Robinson, won the 18-hole captain’s choice tournament.

The Best Dressed prize was awarded to the team of Bermuda National Athletics Association president Freddie Evans, former cricketer and footballer Jeff Richardson, Arthur LaSalle and Garry Burgess, who donned the symbolic colour pink, representative of the cause.