AN INVERCLYDE golfer has paid a touching tribute to his late mother by raising £25,000 for Ardgowan Hospice in her memory.

Gourock Golf Club recently hosted a successful pro-am competition, with almost 100 golfers taking part in the event, including a number of PGA professionals.

It was the first time the club had held such a tournament in 25 years and the event proved to be a huge hit with those who came along.

After handing over the money which had been raised to Ardgowan Hospice’s fundraising team, club professional Derek Watters told the Telegraph his family had organised the event to thank the vital charity for the help they gave his mother, Irene.

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The 75-year-old had herself been a hospice volunteer before she passed away in the middle of November last year.

Derek said he was blown away by the support his family had received from the hospice and had been keen to repay them.

He added: “The care that my dad and I, and my brother Graeme, got was unbelievable.

“We spent nearly every hour in the hospice for 15, 16 days. I hadn’t seen that side of the hospice before.

“Some of the nurses became personal friends based on the time we spent in there and their chef made an amazing last dinner for mum.

"It’s been a journey and I’ve seen what families go through and how well they do. You can’t put a value on that.”

Derek is hoping to see the event return next year so that he can carry own supporting the charity.

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He thanked all of those who had supported the pro-am and said he was proud to have raised so much money.

He said: “I was delighted with the event. We pulled it together very quickly and the girls at the hospice, and the whole team, have been absolutely brilliant.

“The support of the golf club and the members has been amazing. Since we lost mum in November everyone has just rallied round the whole family.

“It’s really been quite humbling to get so much support from the local community.

“Going to my fellow golf professionals, the PGA and the businesses in Inverclyde and further afield to run the event, and then getting to a total like this, was really fantastic. And having it topped up by the Beaton family was incredible.

“I’m really proud of everything I’ve done for the hospice. Hopefully we can build a bigger relationship with them at Gourock Golf Club.

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“I’ve always supported the hospice but until you’re in there and you’re going through it with your own family you don’t see just what it is for our local community.

“To get to this amount on a first ever Pro AM is amazing, we’ve certainly set ourselves a high bar to clear.”

Platinum Paving owner William Peacock, who helped to support the event, joined Derek to hand over the cheque to the hospice's fundraising team.

He said: “It was a great day. Derek started off as a customer of ours and has become quite a close friend.

“It was good to give him a bit of backing and support and also start a journey with Ardgowan Hospice.

“We’re glad to give back and help the hospice out however we can.

“We’ll continue to support Ardgowan Hospice and Derek again next year.”