A group of local golfers has embodied the true spirit of Christmas over the festive period.

The group, who wish to remain anonymous, raised $7,200, which they have donated to professional Daniel Augustus to go towards his ultimate goal of securing PGA Tour status.

The 34-year-old has come on in leaps and bounds this year having rattled off six victories competing on the Moonlight Golf Tour in Orlando, Florida against PGA Tour calibre players.

The strides Augustus has made has not gone by his anonymous backers, colloquially known as the O’Brien Group, who have kept close tabs on his progress for the past several years.

“The group was so impressed by Daniel’s recent stellar performance in Florida, unwavering commitment, dedication, and steely determination in the pursuit of his journey towards the PGA Tour, that they have decided once again to financially assist Daniel, this time with a donation of $7,200,” a group spokesperson told The Royal Gazette.

The spokesperson further noted that this donation will provide Augustus with the opportunity to compete in more golf tournaments across the United States and take his game to the next level.

The former Bermuda Open winner has struggled to acquire funding, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has impacted his ability to travel.

The funding is to go towards acquiring a P1 visa, which will enable Augustus to travel more freely in the United States and thus compete in more tournaments.

Augustus was grateful for the assistance.

“I’m honoured really and have to thank the group for getting everything together for me,” Augustus said. “The job they did getting the $7,200 for my visa is amazing,” Augustus said.

“I am so grateful that this group has decided to help me out that it’s been more than a blessing. It’s a prayer answered and something that I have been working towards.

“Thank God for that and for people looking out for me. So many people have been helping me wherever they can, and I really appreciate that,” said Augustus.

“There are other people that like to keep their names anonymous that have helped me. I’m blessed and grateful.”

The P1 visa is a speciality US visa exclusively for athletes (or other entertainers) and their coaches or support staff.

Augustus is now awaiting approval for the documentation.

“I’m praying and hoping that it gets approved as there’s no guarantee,” he added. “If it gets approved than obviously I will be ecstatic.”

Augustus has been unable to compete in PGA Tour qualifying events in the United States due to travel restrictions, which also ruled him out of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship Qualifier at Port Royal Golf Course in October.

“It takes $70,000 plus a year to come out here and do like Q-School and Monday qualifiers, which is why I haven’t been playing Monday qualifiers,” he said. “I just don’t have the money for that.”

The player’s search for full-time sponsorship continues.

“It’s ($7,200 donation) is a piece of the puzzle that needs to be taken care of but I need a lot more obviously,” Augustus added. “I am still looking for a full-time sponsor to help throughout the year.

“For now this makes a huge difference and I am grateful and happy for that. But again it doesn’t mean that everything is solved as I still have to find sponsors and I still need to make sure that I perform.”

Augustus is a nine-time winner overall on the Moonlight Golf Tour and has also enjoyed success on the IGTA Tour, having won the CGate Classic at ChampionsGate Golf Club by one-shot on his tour debut in October.

He finished the 36-hole championship at nine-under 161 to earn $6,000, his biggest payday as a professional.