Over 100 golfers showed up at Port Royal Golf Course on Sunday, January 12th, 2019 to participate in the “Brother Glenn Simmons Benefit Golf Tournament” which was hosted by the Bermuda Industrial Union and the President’s Group of the Somerset Cricket Club. The Benefit Golf Tournament was initially the brainchild of Sister Charlotte Simons and Brother Radell Tankard, members of the President’s Group of Somerset Cricket Club, who asked the BIU to partner with them in the event.
Brother Glen, who is 1st Vice President of the BIU and an avid golfer, was diagnosed with cancer last summer and has been undergoing treatment ever since. Although his health prevented him from participating in this golf tournament, he was able to make the rounds to the various tees at Port Royal Golf Course to greet his many friends and fellow golfers who had registered for the tournament.
Brother Glen was overwhelmed when he realized that his friend and former golfing team member, Darin Woods flew in just to participate in the charity event. According to Brother Glen, he, Darin Woods, Dwayne Pearman and Cornell Bean won the Rogers Outerbridge Grand Slam of Golf on several occasions.
Prizes for the benefit tournament were donated by various businesses and hotels including but not limited to Fairmont Southampton, Hamilton Princess, Anchor Restaurant, Divot’s Restaurant, the Supermart, Huckleberry, and Raynor’s Gas Station. The winning team included Calvin Hendrickson, Shannon Trott, Keith Trott and Rawn Rabain. The second place team members were Dwayne Pearman, Henry Ascento, Kim Swan (Stephen Lambert) and Darin Woods and the third place team included Garrett Lowe, Duane Lowe, Ricoch James and Richard Basden. Donna Jones won the Women’s Closest to the Pin prize while Shawn Knights won the Men’s Closest to the Pin prize. A prize presentation and luncheon was held at Somerset Cricket Club after the tournament.
The first Black Bermudian to participate in the Eisenhower Trophy, Brother Glen made a name for himself at the Capilano Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, Canada. He told the story of how Canadian golfing enthusiasts came to watch him play as they had never seen a Black golfer. Other team members at the time were Messrs. Jack Wahl, Dr. Robert Vallis and Arthur Jones with Brendan “Bees” Ingham as the non-playing captain.
According to golf professional, Kim Swan, “Glen Simmons was a powerful ball striker who had tremendous shot making ability. He and I were the last two students of the legendary Ocean View Golf Club Pro, Herman “Tucci” Bascome from Whale Bay, Southampton. Glen embodied Herman’s showmanship and bubbly confidence when playing golf. My late uncle Herman often bragged to me about Glen’s natural talent as he taught us both the great game of golf.”
Over $10,000.00 was raised at the benefit golf tournament and on Friday, January 31, 2020, Brother Glen was presented with a cheque representing the proceeds of the golf tournament. Additionally, Brother Donavon Livingston from the Bus Operators and Allied Workers Division of the BIU presented Brother Glen with funds that he had personally raised from DPT Management and other members of the Division.
