Once again, members of The Social Golfer gathered from all over the South-east of England, to meet and compete at Pedham Place Academy in Kent on Sunday 11th June 2023, all hoping to be this year’s TSG Par 3 Champion golfer…
The unique tournament – now in its 8th year – was won this year by Hertfordshire-based golfer, John Barber.
His win came after making for an exciting Grand final, with defending Champion Mark Crane (Kent) also going all the way.
The event is played over 27 holes, with the top six players going through to a play-off hole.
Barber secured his win and became a three-times TSG Major Champion.
Each of the shoot-out finalists had two balls to win their place in the Grand Final, with the two players nearest to the pin on the 18th Green qualifying.
The losing finalists included Steve Slater (Herts), Russell Mitchell (Bucks), Roger Dickson (Surrey), and Sam Swanscott (Kent).
There was a nail-biting finish in the Grand Final, as Crane’s final tee shot fell short and right of the green, with Barber’s ‘just on’ at the back. But when Crane’s chip died on him, it was left to Barber to hole out for par and victory.
This is Barber’s first TSG Par 3 Champion title, after his win at the TSG Open in 2022 and the TSG Matchplay Championship in 2015. He now just needs the TSG Masters for the ‘Slam’.
The Golf News – Guest Trophy was awarded to Kent-based Golfer, Dale Wilson.
The field, ranging from 7 handicappers to 24, and the course (one of the best Par 3 in the South of England) proved to make for a hugely enjoyable contest.
Winner – John Barber (Herts)
Runner-Up – Marky Mark Crane (Kent)
Shoot-Out finalists:
1. Steve Slater (Herts)
2. Russell Mitchell (Bucks)
3. Roger Dickson (Surrey)
4. Sam Swanscott (Kent)
Golf News Magazine – Guest Trophy – Dale Wilson (Kent)
A ‘Trevor’ – N/A
Quiz Winner – Steve Hunt (again!)
NP1 – Paul Houghton (Essex)
NP2 – Kim Brand (Sussex)
NP3 – John Barber (Herts)
NP4 – Canhai Howell (London)
Wooden Spoon – Gary Murphy (Kent)
GogogoSport Rangefinder Prize Draw Winner – Greg Butler
Finally, we would like to give a special thank you to everyone who supported the day.
These events are a pleasure to host and are a great chance for the team and for you, the members, to meet some of your fellow TSGers.
“Thanks folks. What a day. Great company, baking temperature, super golf.”
“What a fantastic day. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. What a great bunch of guys and girls. Well done John for winning.”
“Thank you for a very enjoyable day!”
“A great day, as ever!”
“I never turn up to these superbly run events to win, but rather to have a great day’s golf in good company. However, a win is always welcome, and it took all I could muster to beat Mark (Crane) who put up a superb defence of his title. I look forward to defending my crown in 2024!”
Speaking after the event, Ian Mullins, Editor of The Social Golfer said…
“Once again, members joined in with our innovative shoot-out format, giving an average golfer the taste of what it’s like to play sudden death. I still can’t believe how nervous some of them looked as they stood on the final tee. “Well done to John on his win.“
He went on to say:
“And many thanks to our sponsors, Golf News Magazine and GogogoSport for supporting this event. And to our hosts, Pedham Place and Tim Milford and his team, for looking after us so well!”
By Ian Mullins
More details can be found at The Social Golfer Par 3 Championship 2023 – The Winners >
