THE 2010 SHOW-AM Celebrity Classic at Henley on Arden

The TSG with the magnificent Houseman Trophy
previous celeb winners include Footballers Alan McInally, Johnny Giles, Tony Green, Tony Hateley, Frank Worthington and David Fairclough. From Snooker, Mike Hallett, boxer Pat Cowdell, Cricketer Dermott Reeve and TV Star Jasper Carrott and now joining this illustrious list THE SOCIAL GOLFER

I was fortunate enough to have been asked by Mr Des Blee to attend the above event as a celebrity with a 3 man team representing the Social Golfer ETHOS. With this in mind I put together a cosmopolitan 3 ball to join myself , from all over the UK. From Shropshire came my long time buddy and golfing legend, Steve Skitt, winner of the Davenport ladies long driving contest in 2008. From Brighton, I brought up Roger Hurcombe representing my support for golfers with disabilities and finally I invited Rich Poore from Oxford, my good friend who has played several times with me in Florida but this was to be our first knock in the UK together. joined by our good ladies for the weekend and culminating in a gala black tie evening meal and with Cancer charities benefiting, I approached the event with a certain degree of optimism as I knew my colleagues were all capable of shooting low.

The competition hosted by the magnificent Henley in Arden Country Club, a fine example of an English Parkland Course. It was in very fine condition, played very fairly until the heavens opened, luckily for us but not the teams with later tee times, we had reached the 16th. Our Team played superbly as a fourball, recording just one score of under 5 points at the short par 3 twelfth were my ball disappeared from next to the green! Roger an amputee following a major car accident in which he lost his leg, played a superb round, particularly the first nine when often his was the par that scored big. On the second nine big Ric started keeping the ball in play and with his awesome length ripped the par 5s apart. Skitty and I chipped in were needed and we accumulated 95 points with some ease. In an 18 team competition we finished 12 points ahead of second and clinched this prestigious event.

Pictured...........second left.... BIG HITTING RICH, Then THE LEDGE SKITTY, TSG, ROGER the Star Hurcombe........ with cup and superb crystal wine glasses as a permanent memento.

a small gap over July to get in some serious practice for the busiest month of the year in August were TSG attempts to better last years 5th place in the Televised Sky Sports British Par 3 Championship, then immediately off to Florida for the Summer major on the Edwin Watts Tour at Mission Hills, this is followed by my defence of the Florida Disabilities Open this year being held at the formidable exhilarating PGA headquarters at Port t.Lucie, playing the PGA which has hosted a Ryder Cup in its past. I cant wait..... more success I hope.

THE FLORIDA SWING

Having won the Edwin Watts Tour spring Major at Southern Dunes last year. I had planned my spring season around a defence of this title to be held at Grande Pines just off the famous International Drive in Orlando. The whole trip was more difficult than I had imagined as this venture I had to go solo, matron deciding after our 3 month road trip she had done enuff flying.

Grande Pines, those pesky bunkers cost me

Grande Pines was in pristine condition, the best of the 4 courses I played on this trip. Weather was scorching and despite an horrendous start to my last round when only trailing by two from class leade James Rearden, I tripled 1, 2 and 3 and at the turn was 8 adrift and tied 6th, when I put together a fantastic last nine which took me on to the brink of a play off with a putt on the last to force a tie with James. Still a spirited defence, a worthy winner and I shall return in August for a tilt at the Summer Major at Mission Inn, followed by my defence of the Florida Open at PGA West Palm Beach, former host of a Ryder Cup. Hopefully a reasonable place here will ensure with my two seconds so far, enough points to qualify for the Nationals at Hilton Head Again for a second tilt at The Biggest Crown on the E Tour Amateur circuit.

Harmony, superbly designed and maintained, must play if in Orlando

I also played on trip two of the renowned courses in Orlando that had so far over the years eluded me. Royal St.Cloud and Harmony Golf Preserve. both south East of Orlando along the famous US 192, so very handy for most tourists. I am pleased to report both are very fine tracks and should be on any visitors itinerary if visiting he land of Mickey.

Royal St Cloud 27 linksy style holes of great design and quality

Thoughts now turn to home, sadly because of my ewtour commitments it appears I may not be able to play in this Years Peoples Open, the final being in August when I am due back in Florida. I deeply regret this the opportunity to play at St.Andrews being one I had wanted to have a go at. Fortunately I will be able to return to the British Par 3 the week before I fly out to Florida. Strongly confident of going even better than my fifth place in the Pro Am last year.

My next outing sees me in the midlands at Henley in Arden playing as a guest celebrity in THE SHOW AM Charity Classic in a Social Golfer 4 man Team. Wish us Luck!!!!!!!!!!!

STROKE AWARENESS PLEASE READ

Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue I will continue to forward this every time it comes around! STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters.... S. T. R. STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions: S *Ask the individual to SMILE. T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today.) R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue... If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved. I have done my part. Will you?

ACT FAST....................... face, Arms, Speech............ Lisa Burke did and I am evidence of the above

SCOTS NEW BOOK

My Toys for Tots Partner, general good guy, sound golfer and great wit SCOTT RAMEY sent me this........... ENJOY

Many of you may not realize it, but I've been very busy planning my retirement putting my thoughts and ideas together in a book.
I believe my new book on GOLF gives the reader valuable playing tips and insider information I've gained through my years of lessons, struggle and experiment.I am very proud of the results, and to assist with marketing, I am asking friends and family to help me out. I hope you find this a useful tool to help you enjoy your game much more while you enjoy the great outdoors. The cost is only $19.95.
Don't wait until they're all gone !!!!

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 - How to Properly Line Up Your Fourth Putt..
Chapter 2 - How to Hit a Nike from the Rough, when you Hit a Titlist from the Tee.
Chapter 3 - How to Avoid the Water When You Lie 8 in a Bunker.
Chapter 4 - How to Get More Distance off the Shank.
Chapter 5 - When to Give the Ranger the Finger.
Chapter 6 - Using Your Shadow on the Greens to Maximize Earnings.
Chapter 7 - When to Implement Handicap "Management".
Chapter 8 - Proper Excuses for Drinking Beer Before 9:00 AM.
Chapter 9 - How to Rationalize a 6-Hour Round.
Chapter 10 - When Does a Divot Become Classified as Sod..
Chapter 11 - How to Find That Ball That Everyone Else Saw Go in the Water.
Chapter 12 - Why Your Girlfriend Doesn't Care that You Birdied the 5th Hole.
Chapter 13 - Using Curse Words Creatively to Control Ball Flight.
Chapter 14 - When to Let a Foursome Play through Your Twosome.
Chapter 15 - How to Relax When You Are Hitting Five Off the Tee.
Chapter 16 - When to Suggest Major Swing Corrections to Your Opponents..
Chapter 17 - God and the Meaning of the Birdie-to-Bogey-Three-Putt..
Chapter 18 - When to Regrip Your Ball Retriever.
Chapter 19 - Throwing Your Clubs: An Effective Stress-Reduction Technique.
Chapter 20 - Can You Purchase a Better Golf Game?
Chapter 21 - Why Male Golfers Will Pay $6 a Beer From the Cart Girl and Give Her a $4 Tip, but will balk at $4 a Beer at the 19th Hole and then Stiff the Bartender.

Thanking you in advance for your order.

You can see why we won the Toys for Tots......... Scot also sponsored The Mystery Hole Prize to Florida in The Social GOLF OPEN............ A TRUE SOCIAL GOLFER>>>

Thanks Mate

THE SOCIAL GOLFER OPEN at Hever Castle

After a hitch, the First Champion Andrew Siggs receives the

Trophy from The Social Golfer

On Friday 16th April, over 40 members of he Social Golfer Community, got together to play for THE SOCIAL GOLFER CUP in the Inaugural Event. On a Dry but breezy day a course of over 6700 yards proved the ultimate challenge with greens hard and firm and a penal rough which led to high scoring which produced lower net stableford Scores. However it certainly led to a highly competitive event, eventually after a Social Golfer mix up at the presentations there was a worthy winner Andrew Siggs with 33 points. He just pipped Tom Hurcombe (32) pts . Helen Harding 29pts was third. Ian Mullins , fourth on 28 points and mein host THE SOCIAL GOLFER, fifth on 27 points, a noble effort if I say so myself. A little cock up on the scorecards saw Tom about to be, well more accurately, being presented with then having it snatched back, the Trophy, when it transpired Andrew had come in with the last group at 33 pts.

Another challenging drive at Hever Castle

The Mystery Holes saw over £500 being raised with the sales of the book for The Stroke Association. A Great day and many thanks to each and everyone who participated and particular thanks to Pete Connon of The http://www.socialgolfer.com/ Community whose efforts were principally rewarded with a fine turn out and a quality event we all can be proud of.

The Social Golfer, in his new John Dalys, tees off in a further attempt to be like Tiger and win his own event, sadly like all his efforts to be like Tiger it would prove fruitless.

Lots of phots from the day on THE SOCIAL GOLFER facebook Site

THE FLORIDA SWING

Stonegate Solvita, a fine example of an Orlando Golfing Experience.





The last leg of our 30,000 mile trip saw us return to our Florida villa for a fortnight. To all intents and purposes both Karen and I effectively feel our journey is over, even though we have the Atlantic to cross before we can say officially we traversed the globe. so whilst it was a good chance to have some R and R, see what damage the Floridian Frost had done to the garden, not a pretty site. For me it had some important golfing matters to conclude the Golfing Odyssey. Firstly I would play in the season opener at Black Bear on the Edwin Watts Tour. In view of my restricted schedule this year, this event was far more important than a normal event as it would be imperative I finished up the field to gain vital points towards the end of season Nationals. I only intend to play both majors on tour so I have my work cut out. Secondly and very important on a personal note my final commitment was to meet up with my great buddy Brew to celebrate an important date in his ongoing recovery. as it turned out I also had opportunity to meet up with two great old golfing buddies, my Toys for Tots winning team partner Scott Ramey and Rich Poore from London who I first met 12 months ago at Championsgate. It gives me particular pleasure as The Social Golfer to meet up with fellow SGs ongoing. I also as part of important practice added to my Orlando resume by playing Kissimmee Oaks and Solvita Stonegate. I have now virtually played every Public or Semi Private Course in the Orlando Area giving me an unrivalled tourist position from which to comment.

Black Bear is a fine links style course just south of Eustis with undulating fairways and fast hard, quick breaking greens. A fine clubhouse, enhances an enjoyable experience. My fourball featured some of the best in our class on tour, my good mate James Rearden, third on last years standings and still waxing lyrical about our sessions at Hilton Head. Big Hitting Alberto Esperon and Steady Eddie, Jerry Harris. To be in the running, I clearly needed to win this particular 4 ball.

Jerry, Alberto and James

Jerry, Alberto and James, three great guys on tour. James in particular started like a house on fire then on the 12th when 5 ahead of me, put his approach ob and from then on imploded Alberto who led me all the way till the 15th where I get up and down from 130 yard bunker for a par 5 and he 3 putts from 3 feet for an 8. Not without some trouble the water on the fantastic 18th contributing to a 7, I come home one clear of both james and alberto and two clear of jerry, which enables me to finish second in the class, pick up 250 ranking points and my first check of the year. I go now to defend the first major of the Year, this time at Grande Pines in May in good heart and look forward to locking horns with these great guys again.

I played two new courses leading up to the tour event, in Kissimmee Oaks and Stonegate, Solvita. Both were fine tracks but had clearly suffered from the bad winter the Floridians had encountered, I will return in Summer when I feel both will have a lot more to offer. The bird life around Solvita literally had me salivating with pleasure. A final point there was no signs of economic recovery on either estate, no Legends or Ridgewood which I also played, with he no of foreclosures and sales growing from my last visit in October.

Kissimmee Oaks, fine track, super vfmoney.

As I stated earlier, whilst in Orlando I was contacted by two fellow Sgs down in the area for a bit of sun. Scott, whi I last saw when we won the Annual Toys for Tots at Mystic Dunes back in DEc 2008 invited me to Clermont for my second go at the Legends and with two business mates of his down from the North Ted and Mike two damn fine SGs we had a great day. I was also contacted by my Oxford pal Richard in Orlando for a break with his good lady and we had a fine day ar Ridgewood joined b John and Carol, snow birding down from North America. This day ended with Karen and I joining Rich and his party at Bergamos, to have a Great Italian and listen to the singing waiters. Social Golf at its best.


Mike, Scott and Ted at the impressive Legends Complex

Glorious Day at Ridgewood, John, Carol and mi good pal RICH

Carol is some putter, she made the Greens notoriously difficult look EASY!!!!

My final golf was a magical day up at Orange County near Jacksonville. My good Mate Brew had kept in regular contact during the RTW Trip and it had always been my intention to try and see him. He is for those not fully aware of his story a remarkable 45 year old who had a near fatal auto accident twenty years ago which he his still recovering from. A remarkable chap he pointed out it was exactly 20 years since that fateful day. He sent me the following...........

Friday, 12 March 2010
Greetings my friend!
I pray this note finds you and your loved ones eager in spirit and full in health. I have a few thoughts I wish to convey. I’m hopeful you find words of much interest.
…”when your new box of balls begins to disappear at a rate of knots; when the weather is as bad as your game, golf can seem both an aimless and costly game. No other sport has such a disparity in talent between the successful practitioner and the social golfer. However, when you’re faced with the realistic possibility that you have played your last round, then your worst round is better than no round at all”…
(Ian Halliwell – The Social Golfer)
My near- fatal, life-altering motor vehicle accident occurred on March 21st, 1990 (the first day of spring that year). I’m told I had a tee time scheduled the next day (22 March 1990). Instead of spending a glorious spring day in Florida, leisurely hacking my way through 18 holes of golf, I would spend that day comatose in the Critical Care Unit tenuously clinging to life. In fact, I would spend two comatose weeks fighting for my life.
At the time of my automobile accident I was an invincible 25-year old aspiring Naval Aviator and full-time student. I was also working full-time. What precious free time I had was usually spent at the beach or on a golf course.
When putting out that last hole, I never dreamed I may have just played the last round of golf in my life… “When you’re faced with the realistic possibility that you have played your last round, then your worst round is better than no round at all”. Ian, truer words have never been spoken!
I’ve spent two decades of prolonged, painful rehabilitation desperately rebuilding and recovering “me”. I’m reclaiming my physical, intellectual, and spiritual self neuron-by-neuron, synapse-by-synapse. My goal has always been to not merely learn to live with traumatic brain injury (TBI), but to conquer traumatic brain injury. It has never been easy. It is still not easy.
If your schedule allows, I would consider it a great honor to golf with you and my golfing instructor, former PGA TOUR Professional Charles Raulerson, at the Country Club of Orange Park (www.ccofop.com) on Monday, 22 March 2010.
Albeit 20 years late, I will finally make that tee time I had scheduled two decades prior.
I cannot think of a more fitting way to mark an anniversary of my near demise than to celebrate life on the links with my good friends, Ian and Charles!
Your pal –
Brugh

The Day after his accident he had booked a tee time at 12.15pm which he of course never made. Exactly 20 years to the day he did make that tee time and I was privileged to join him and a wonderful PGA PRO, Charles Raulerson, Head Pro and General Manager at the magnificent Orange Park Country Club, to celebrate his recovery by playing this long awaited round. In a trip of many highlights, this was up there with them all. Truly memorable and a Sensational ending to my once in a life time global golfing extravaganza.

20 years on, Brew tees off pushes into the water left recovers
to card a bogey 5 after sinking a 25 footer.





The TSG, Brew and Charles Raulerson who has played with TIGER,
NICK FALDO, SEVE and now The Social Golfer his resume is complete.

If in North Florida you must visit Orange Park, you wont regret it

AND SO THE END IS NEAR and so I reach the final curtain, and what a journey it was, Memorable in so many ways, Fantastic Golf, Sensational Vistas but for both Karen and I our long abiding memory will be the wonderful people we met along our travels, some I now consider much more than passing acquaintances. You all touched us deeply and I sincerely hope that was reciprocated.To each and every one of you, THANK YOU!In times of Economic and Social Turmoil, this trip gives me considerable optimism for the long term well being of our planet.

I have learned a lot about myself, a lot about my golf..... and a great deal about this majestic green and blue globe we call home. The work starts now as i try and take all these experiences and put them into something worth calling literature, naturally when published I will be in touch with you all.

I have swam in every ocean

watched the sun set from east to west

walked the lush green fairways

were my heroes have took the Test.

but I am pleased to back home in Wigan with my family

cuz they are simply the Best.

Despite my workload, Golf is still foremost in my mind....

I am pleased to say next week, The Social Golf Team returns to action in THE PUBLICAN Knockout hoping to go one better than last year.

The first ever SOCIAL GOLFER OPEN takes place at Hever Castle in Kent on Friday 16th April with over 60 competitors.

I return to the Celebrity Golf Tour in June at Henley in Arden.....

my Edwin Watts Tour will see me play both majors in May and August at Grande Pines and Mission Hills hopefully culminating in a return in Oct to Hilton Head. Failing that the Barney Barnato in Kimberley could beckon.

I expect to return to the British Par 3, hopefully to improve on the 5th position of last year

Also my annual trip to Tenerife in Sept to try and regain the Wild Geese Trophy is very much a goer.

So plenty to keep you updated about over Summer........

REMEMBER HEALTH not WEALTH

LOVE LIFE, ENJOY THE GOLF and ALWAYS SMELL THE ROSES.

The Social Golfer...... keep on LIVIN THE DREAM My friends

Full pictures for thi trip on FACEBOOK..................................

GOLF In the Desert Las Vegas Style

Golf on the Strip

Back to Vegas and at last some Golf to report.

Once again choosing the course closest to the City, led me too THE BALI HAI and a fantastic day and experience with two great German Guys Jens and Manfred and Jim from Wisconsin a fine 2 handicap golfer. Joined by our Caddy Mike, we had a wonderful day, some magic golf mixed with mediocrity as is SOCIAL GOLF. Established firm friendships and in Mikes case some exceptional Green reading gave me my best putting of the trip. Thanks!!!

Jim, Jens, Manfried and Mike, Gentlemen it was a pleasure

The course was in the shadows of the strip and despite being directly under the airport flight paths is quite stunning visually. Some Sensational holes and Course Conditioning despite unseasonable weather for Nevada was exceptional. Like everywhere this trip course bookings are down leading to some sensational offers available.

The stunning 16th aka sawgrass... just 110 yards and two balls lost

and a 6 for The Social Golfer