Florida Swing 2010

Capt Dapper, just before my birdie stopped the rot at the PGA

el Campeons at Mission Inn

When I arrived in Florida to play the two events, i was fresh from my successin the bP 3 and felt ready to rumble as they say. My targets were simple on the Edwin Watts Tour Major at Mission Inn I was looking for the victory that would ensure my place in the E Tour finals at Hilton Head and down at Port St.Lucie it was simple as defending champion I was looking to retain this prestigious Florida open Title especially whilst it was at the PGA Headquarters. So as I return home to uk it has to be said my trip was only mildly succesful from a golfing perspective, however i have to say from the Social aspect it was quite a memorable two weeks.

Glorious Mission Inn

At Mission Inn, a fine purpose built golf resort twenty miles North of Orlando , I finished runner up by 3 shots to Flight Leader and Hilton Head Bound playing buddy James Rearden. I was quite happy with my performance in coming back from 7 down to twice get within 2 shots of the leader but in oppresive heat it was a bridge too far but I withheld promosing youngster Broderic Johnsons charge to clinch my place at the National Finals. My tour results a second in the opener and second and third in the majors. Hilton Head here we come.

View from my room at Mission

Mission Inn has two exceptional Courses and a fine clubhouse. facilities in Spanish Style are very conjusive to a good golfing break. Its very popular with golfers in Florida, I remember John mein host at the Horse and Chaisse in Venice saying it was his favourite golf break in Florida and who am I too argue. The course I played Los Colinas ( the Hilly course ) was great and the El Campeon ( The champions ) was apparently better and sure looked it too.

Tom,Carter the Caddy, steve and Brew all hot and bothered at the pga

Magnificent 18th at The Wanamaker at PGA Village

So off to PGA Village to play in The Florida Open for Golfers with Disabilities and defend my trophy. It was a great opportunity to meet up again with golfers from last year, my good mate Charles Brugh and Tom Walters and remarkably we were paired up again joined by Steve a local one armed golfer. This competition is far more than golf it is great fun, laughter guarenteed from first shot to the last, great comaraderie with people who despite their handicaps have an unbridalled passion for golf. I was determined to give a good account of myself in my defence and for 8 holes I did, Seven pars, one bogey but then the wheels came off as the noon time sun hit over 110, a birdie and a clutch of pairs later on ensured i finished on net 74 so a reasonable defense. At first I was disappointed but as the weekend developed again the ethos of the event far outstripped the competitive nature. I made many great new friends, renewed established acquantancies and I have to again repeat anyone playing this event will inevitably get spiritually fulfilled and a far greater perspective of life, the competive nature of golf that disadvantaged golfers can still participate in with humour and dignity and candour, despite their limitations. The fact it was held here at Golf headquarters enhanced the whole event and I shall return to renew friendships which I BELIEVE WILL BE LIFELONG THANKS TO THIS EVENT. A visit to the PGA Heritage Centre, with The Ryder Cup on display and a full documented history of Amrican Golf this put the cream on top of the cake for a wonderful golf weekend. The PGA Village with its 3 outstanding Courses, exceptional Range Facilities and Training Centre and a Golf Anoraks MUseum to boot... WOW What a weekend.

TSG with the Ryder Cup, come on europe..

TSG Tv times for the British Par 3

UK TV Coverage of The BP3seehttp://uk-tv-guide.com/show-times/713719/British+Par+3+Championship+Golf/Sport/


Show times for British Par 3 Championship Golf - UK TV Guide
uk-tv-guide.com
When is 'British Par 3 Championship Golf' on UK Televison

TSG NOW ON FACEBOOK

go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Social-Golfer/83335848305

Hope to see you there

TSG is a National British Champion at the British Par 3

TSG Tees off on the biggest round of his career watched far left by Jim Lilly

as you can see this goes straight down the middle leaving a twelve footer for

a birdie a great start to Round 2

The highlight of my Golfing year is always my week visit to glorious Nailcote Hall home of the British Par 3 Championship. This fun filled four day festival of golf features celebrities from stage screen music and the sporting arenas, pr golfers of the eniors and PGA Tours mingling with amateurs attempting to tame this 1100 yard nine hole beast of a course. THE CROMWELL at Nailcote. Mingle in TV coverage over 5000 spectators. It is a mesmeric golfing experience.

A blue outfit but not a blue day watched by peg leg another green hit

by THE SG on the way to a massive twenty under













This year, I had spent the 8 weeks leading up to the competition playing my local 9 hole course par 29 at Potters Wood in Wigan. This having Ideal practice facilities, 7 fine par 3s and great greens, I had never approached this event in a better physical or competitive state.



Watched by an expectant crowd TSG moves to 14 under






The BP 3 has 3 seperate events running during the week. On Tuesday a Celeb -Am where a celeb golfer joins a 3 man team in a 18 hole stableford competition. This year A Social Golfer Team of TSG, Roger Hurcombe along with his new artificial leg in tow and The ledge Steve Skitt, Davenport Ladies Driving Champ, more at home on these smaller holes and finally TSGs great buddy on the celeb tour fine golfer, entertainer and gentleman CLIVE ABBOTT of The Black abbots fame. In this event Clive was awesome, he played level par ( $ under his handicap) and Roger with no hinderance from his new pin... not far behing shooting 59... Fair to say TSG and The Ledge bit part players but who contributed big time on hole 9 each round. We scored twenty under for 92 points finishing joint first. A great start to the week.

TS sinks a 8 footer to tie at twenty under

Days 2 and 3 feature the main event, The Pro Competition and the main Pro Am Competition, this year competing for A weeks All INCLUSIVE for two to MAURITIOUS and The Prestigious HALLIWELL CUP for the winning Amateur. I had been delighted this event had accepted my offer to present the PGA Trophy used at our previous MRC Events which due to economic pressures had ceased. I had been originally paired with Phil Golding who dropped out to play in the Trilby Tour. Fortunately for me he was replaced by in form Midland Euro Pro Tour Champion Simon Lilly. On Day one Simon posted 1 over but as a Team thanks to my play behond my handicap resulted in a team score of 6 under. We were eclipsed by our playing partners on the day Mark Mouland, 2008 Champ here and leading after day 1 with a splendid 5 under and teenage prodigy and fine young lady 14 year old Charley Hull. What a talent this girl his. They posted 9 under. On day 2 , we were the last of the mid morning starters to go out and Simon stated quite clearly his aim was to set a target. We played really well to post 14 under. With his great encouragement, super putt reading by both Simon and his father Jim and Matrons calming influence, despite the pressure MY GAME STOOD THE TEST AND I posted 6 net birdies during the afternoon. We were as they say the club house leaders and suffered a three hour wait whilst the afternoon starters went out, bit of luck it began to piss down, my rain dance behind the 7th green working well. With Team Mouland and Marshall both on the 1th Tee on 13 under it really was a thrilling end as both also were only one adrift of Richrd O Hanlan in he pro event, sadly for them but not for me they could not fnd that elusive birdie and Team Lilly, win the Pro Am...... Yes Matron and I are off to Mauritious and guess who is the first winner of the HALLIWELL CUP... can you Adam and Eve it.

TSG receives The Halliwell Cup from Golfing legend Tony Jacklin and TV
Announcer moves in for Sky Sports Interview.









Its Green for Go, Another outfit leads to another Trophy.





The final day saw another celeb team event were I was invited to play in Martin Laings Team with nice guy Jim.... I was surprised just how nice and genorous these two Scots actually were and local Midland Crowd favourite fine guy great comedian and great company Mr Jasper Carrott. Jim really carried our team and we finished on 7 under surprisingly again in the places tied 3rd..... completing an unlikely treble of places in the weeks golf for IAN HALLIWELL Amateur Champion, THE BRITISH PAR 3...