Australian golf legend, Greg Norman, presided over a distinguished field at the prestigious Wentworth Club in Surrey last week, as guests from all over the world gathered to compete in the Tristan Capital Partners Charity Golf Championship.

Norman, who was World Number One for 331 weeks during his illustrious playing career and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001, chaired the event hosted by Ric Lewis, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Tristan Capital Partners.

It was the 12^th edition of the Tristan Capital Partners Charity Golf Championship which fittingly took place on the opening day of this year’s Open Championship, a tournament Norman won twice as a player. 170 golfers competed on the Wentworth West, Edinburgh and Executive courses, including a number of recognizable faces from the world of sport and entertainment and the private equity real estate industry.

The 2012 event not only raised money for the Black Heart Foundation, but a number of initiatives that support underprivileged children and families in the UK and USA. “It has been another superb event,” commented Ric Lewis, Chief Executive and Charman of Tristan Capital Partners. “We’ve welcomed some fantastic event chairmen in the past, with Sam Torrance, Corey Pavin and Seve Ballesteros among them, and Greg continued that tradition this year. As well as guests having a great time, the key is to raise funds and support the Black Heart Foundation, and this year has taken our fundraising to a new level, so we owe huge thanks to our tournament sponsors.”

The Eastside Young Leaders Academy (EYLA) is one of the main beneficiaries from the event. EYLA provides emotional and educational support for young African and Caribbean males who are at risk of social exclusion, offering them an opportunity to fulfil their potential and become the next generation of successful leaders. “With golf back on the Olympics agenda and London 2012 just around the corner I am delighted that we have been able to play our part for the EYLA,” added Lewis. “One of the goals of EYLA is to spur intellectual curiosity through contact with successful people in diverse professions, and everyone enjoying the day together is what it is all about.”

A group of boys who have won scholarships or places at University with the help of the EYLA were guests at the event and were treated to expert tuition from Greg Norman and the team of PGA Professionals at Wentworth. “It has been an honour to be Chairman of this event especially so close to London and on the eve of the Olympics. I have seen first-hand in Australia what sport can do to re-energise young people. I am delighted we have raised so much for such a great cause” commented Norman.

The money was raised through a number of auction prizes, which have been donated by key sponsors of the event such as TaylorMade, Theo Fennell, Etihad Airways, Ikkon, Red Bull F1 Racing, Pol Roger as well as some of the guests playing in the event.

The ‘Professional’ event competed from on Wentworth’s illustrious West course, was won by Richard Ellis with 33 points. He became the proud owner of the Black Heart ‘Black Velvet Jacket’, designed by Marc Oliver and personally tailored for the winner. Another highlight of the day was an after-dinner ‘TaylorMade Floodlit Par-3 Challenge’ which took place from the Wentworth terrace to the 18^th green on The East Course, marking the end of a fantastic day of golf and fund raising.