TheSocialGolfer.com, the online social networking community for golfers celebrated its annual TSG OPEN Championship (in association with londongolfshow.com) at Bletchingley Golf Club in Surrey on 11th July 2015….
Celebrating its 5th year, the now much coveted Halliwell Cup (donated by stroke victim Ian Halliwell) was won by Harlow & Essex based TSG member Steve Slater, with the Ladies Trophy won by Blackheath & Kent member Judy Lilley.
The day was attended by over 40+ able-bodied and disabled golfers from all over the South East of England and from as far away as Poland and New Zealand. The winners on the day also donated all the monies raised on the day to their two selected charities; Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre, providing activity-based ‘fun’ for 8-16yr olds in Essex and Bromley Sparks, a self-advocacy group run by people in Kent with a learning difficulties.
The silverware…
The tournament began with the usual briefing and course orientation but as well as the individual Stableford competition; there was a Yellow Ball event, Straightest Drive, 2 x Nearest Pins, Beat The Pro, a Putting Comp and Team Event. The event was sponsored by the London Golf Show.
The day’s events continued into the early evening with a dinner and raffle and we are very grateful to Alan Haywood and Steve Slater for their help on the day. Of course, we must also thank Anna Guss and Brigitte Lockwood for their wonderful donation of a day with them at Wentworth.
“Just a brief note to thank the guys at Bletchingley for taking good care of the TSGers again. Always made to feel welcome here, hospitality always top notch. In the words of Steve Cookson the Head Pro, greens were ‘sporty’, is a bit of an understatement and proved much more of a challenge than usual. Dry and hard – good for long drives, not quite so good for short putts – Congratulations to winners in all categories!” Men’s winner – Steve Slater
“Heartfelt thanks to The Social Golfer for a wonderful day and all the organisation and time put into making it such a success…many thanks to Bletchingley for their hospitality and to Beat The Pro Ben for a cheery welcome and showing most of us how it should be done. I would like to nominate Bromley Sparks as my chosen charity. They are small and every little helps. I know they will be so grateful for the donation….hope to see a good turnout at the TSG Par 3 Championship at Pedham Place in August – Bring it on!” Ladies winner – Judy Lilley
Some of the Winners…
The other results off 3/4 Handicap:
Mens – 2nd – Martyn Miller – 27 Pts, 3rd – Roger Hurcombe – 24 Pts
Ladies – 2nd – Ruth Brand – 24 Pts
Guest Trophy – John Benstead – 27 Pts
Other winners on the day included:
Nearest Pin – Barry Hill
Nearest Pin 2nd shot – No winners
Straightest Drive – Anna Guss
Putting Champion – Tom Hurcombe
Yellow Ball Comp – Steve Duffy, Martyn Miller & Judy Lilley
Team Event – Steve Duffy, Martyn Miller & Judy Lilley
Ian Mullins, Managing Director of TheSocialGolfer.com said;“The event is now well established and whilst it wasn’t intended, Bletchingley is fast becoming the Augusta of the TSG OPEN Championship. As always we were hugely impressed with the way the club supported the event. It is key that we do we can also raise the profile of disabled golfers and this is the TSGers doing their little bit for the cause!”
“Would like to echo what Steve has said. It was a great day, well organised and thoroughly enjoyable. The course was very nice with some challenging greens which we were all tested on. Thanks Ian for organising this and I look forward to entering many more of these days and meeting up with the fabulous TSG members…..” – Martyn ‘Speedy’ Miller
“The sunniest TSG OPEN Championship yet, the most challenging greens, a great crowd, an excellent organisation from Mr Mullins and as always a most pleasant welcome from Bletchingley staff. Lovely to see some new faces (and not so new), some friendly guests and a record attendance from TSG Ladies. Warm congratulations to the worthy winners, thank you to all those who contributed to making this a great day to remember. Vive Le TSG!” – Brigitte Lockwood
“What a special event it was! Beautiful sunny weather, great crowd, great company for the game, good money raised for charities. And all very well organised….THANK YOU VERY MUCH 🙂 Congratulations to all the winners especially to Judy and Steve. Well done guys. See you all again next year!” – Anna Guss
By Ian Mullins
