2014..... A special year

The year has been somewhat changed from my normal schedule, I played on tour in January at the majestic Eagle Creek and had hoped to return in April to play at celebration, Disney and defend at Fox Hollow.  Karen sadly contracted pneumonia whilst in the states in January and I felt unable to head back to Florida whist she was recovering. Pleased to say she his now well and back on her feet.

So as of May bank holiday, I have just played in two events.... Both successful. In a British Inclusive Golf event, Team TSG dismantled the field to clean up with 93 points.   At Carus Green, I played inane SDGP event and won the top 20 order of merit points available with a net four under score.

In June, I am heading up to the renowned Roxbrughe course in the borders representing BIG against the SDGP in a Ryder Cup style event. August see the best at Nailcote, the British Par 3. Can Team TSG make it four in a row. Can TSG add to my five titles.

October will see my return to Florida to see if I can go one better than last year and recapture the Florida Open.

  Then I head of to Mesquite, Vegas, Neveda to represent the Rest of the World against the USA in the Phoenix cup, returning to Florida to play in a Golf a Channel Event before returning to the Uk for the anticipated births of my new three grandchildren.... Golf n kids. Luv it... Luv life.

The British Par 3 Championship 2013

Early August only means one thing.  Magnificent Nailcote Hall and the Cromwell Course. Team Social Golfer looking for an unprecedented third successive Team Title. At the end of the week TSG had added two more titles to his BP3 portfolio.

Looking majestic as ever.

So the Tuesday Celeb amateur, the premier Team Event.... and Team TSG..... Peg, Roger Hurcombe, the Ledge Steve Skitt and TSG this year joined by Big Brother winner and DIY Guru, Craig Phillips. For those unaware of cRaigs story, this affable scouser gave his winnings away to support a downs syndrome young lady. he hasraised thousands to assis in her care since. A Gentleman in every sense of the word. a high handicapper, playing of 14 here ( half handicap) his expectations were it was fair to say not high, but he was soon to see the defending champions had high hopes.

A delighted Craig, with his trophies and awards.

It would be fair to say we absolutely dismantled the field.... from Craigs first shot to the hear of the Green and a nett birdie, everyone was on top form.  TSG holed everything.... we did not blob or bogey a hole. 

                                    The 3 Time Team Social Golfer, Champions @ the British Par 3

                                                    TSG part of the Presentation Party

                          TSG explains to good mate Shell Macrae, just how i sank thar birdie putt.

                                                                          TSG in Action

                        With Pro Jamie Little, a fine partner and young man in the Pro Am. sadly two under was                                                                                never enough.

TSG has launced a draw into the crowd and hit a spectator, not a happy feeling.

more pics next time.

A second Golf Channel Title in the USA

A short visit to my Florida home was based on the opportunity to play the GC Major at the prestigious Orange County National  courses and get a regular tour event in as well out in Tampa at the highly rated Trent Jones course, Fox Hollow.  In fairness lack of playing opportunities in the UK left me totally under cooked and prepared having only arrived in the States three days before the event due to Easter. I played solidly on the first day at the Panther  Course and indeed on the second and final day at the Crooked Cat had put myself into contention. A couple of holes proved costly and I had to reluctantly accept 5th probably an accurate reflection of my form.

I practiced relentlely the next week, playing highlands reserve, championsgate national, grand cypress and providence, so there were no excuses, nor did I need any as I came back from one behind at the turn to clinch a two shot victory in searing temperatures, my game was red hot.

TSG now a two time winner on the Golf Channel Tour.

RAISING FUNDS

TSG with that fine young Actor and Comedian Chris Ramsey of BBC Tvs Comedy Soap HEDBURN.

Now Chris has just paid £1500 for an empty Box, I kid you not... This £ 1500 was assured to the Stroke Association without even knowing it would contain the Max Lacroix watch I had won at The Facebook Open.

Many Thanks Chris, hope to see it on TV one day.  

THE RYDER CUP

This week, TSG should have been playing in The Pinhul Open in Portugal, but the wifes back problems forced me to pull out giving me opportunity to fully watch this years competition.

In a few hours time, The USA will complete a clynical, comprehensive thourhghly deserved victory at magnificent Medinah. indeed only the size of the battering remains in doubt as the Europeans have only pride and in some cases faltering reputations to play for. It seems ridiculous to consider that in this walloping Tiger has been pointless.

Two year ago, capt Faldo was pilloried after what on reflection can now be considered quite a valiant performance at valhalla and I sense the knives are now out for Jose in a similar vein. I find this quite incredulous in a contest so flagrently in favour of the host side. consider the USAs disasterous record in the past two decades when crossing the pond, Europe have by comparison been very succesful. With the dice so loaded to the home teams advantage any Home Captain worth his salt should deliver. Doctoring the course, picking wildcards in form and the USA have 4 of these to Europes two. Picking pairs who work and make the home crowd raucous and boisterous to an often unacceptable degree, then its no wonder its been such a calamatous defence by the Europeans. It has remained a riveting spectacle and it has to be acknowledged produced some sensational golf of the highest quality albeit mainly by the USA.  am I alone however in finding the football crowd antics and behaviour , unacceptable and out of place in any golf contest. be were you dont reap what you so. If chicago can do this and its acceptable, then what about 30,000 Scots at Gleneagles in 2014 when hogmany comes early.It wont be long till some poor protaganist has a 6 foot putt aka Langer at Kiawah and on his putting stroke is greeter with a chourus of boos. If thers any justice it will happen to the guys who have positively whipped upp this level of hysteria, maybe Bubba, Bradley or even Poults.  We need to get back to basic concepts, Golf is a sport were the cheering starts when the ball has stopped moving and theres no place for the support, laughter , encouragement of failure.

At Gleneagles, the Rough is likely to be like a Jungle, the greens slow, weather wet and windy. The captain may, although unlikely have more impact on selection and then the drunken scots hoards could play there part. WELCOME TO THE HIGHLANDS Team USA.


Anyway the BRITS wont capitulate for long, TSG of to Florida to play in the Florida Open and the WORLD WOODS golf channell event, beware USA, the fightback Begins here!!!!

Sensational Summer

What really can you say, Facebook open champion, Facebook pairs champion, British  Par 3 Team champions once again. Followed up with a 3rd position in the g tour qualifier at Moor Allerton which all but ensures a semi final berth at Belton Woods and keeps the qualifying final at Aphrodite Hills  in Cyprus very much in focus. July and August very much saw TSG reach an unprecedented level of success and all this at a time we were moving to theYorkshire Dales..... Oh. Happy heady days.

Great Times at st.Andrews

 

In July, Karen and I with our good friends roger (Peg) and his wife Chris ( cheeky Chablis) headed up to St.Andrews to play in the inaugural Facebook Community Open a three day comp over the dukes, Torrance and kittocks courses. Superbly organised by local entrepreneur and Yorkshire lad Steve Cooke who with his family have to be wholeheartedly pris and thanked for making this event so memorable. A you now know, Tsg pretty cleaned up but this event was so much more than golf withcompetitorsfrom all over Europe, Australia and the good ole US of A....

With Robbie Harrison and Peter Harewood.... GREAT GUYS!!!

 It had a truly cosmopolitan and  international feel and the new friendships forged and made are far more important than the golfing titles.  Day 1 at the dukes our four all with Robbie and the mercurial Peter Harewood who sprayed the all everywhere but with style, grace And a smile was a great day for means peg. Our golf was ok without being dynamic....


 We struggled at times but fought for every point. I scored 34, peg 31 and we led the team event and was 2nd and 5th respectively in the individual.. Moving to the Fairmont to playitstwo ourse day 2 saw peg struggle a touch, I peppered the flag relentlessly but couldn't translate into birdies. We still led the team, I with 34 again, third in the individual, three adrift. The last day at the kittocks and whilst I didn't play as well really as I had at the Torrance the day before. Two birdies, a nearest to the pin and a Third day without a blob saw me compile a 39 top score on the day. Particular praise to a very sore Roger who despite bringing considerable pain and discomfort, bravely soldiered on to compile a score which ensured a comfortable team victory.

Ian and Peg on the Swilken Bridge, later in the week we were invited to

tour the R & A

FACEBOOK COMMUNITY OPEN CHAMPION with the COOKES, thanks guys and gal

 

The week culminated with a magnificent presentation at Old Course Hotel. Nicklaus famously said you had to win at the home of golf and TSG did. Great week, great company, fabulous golf, memorable event. Thank you to all who made it so enjoyable.

winning the magnificent prize from gOLFOON a 3000Euro Swizz Watch

which I explain will be donated to The Stroke Association

Powering my Tee shot away at The Dukes

Peg an I ponder my club selection

 

Heading south to the magnificent, stately Nailcote Hall and the annual British Par 3 extravaganza. The team event saw peg and I joined up with skitty our celeb was the Big Break winner Mark Murphy. A fine young man who played exceptional golf all week. In the team event we were imperious and at 16 under clear winners for a second year. Whilst the 3 amateurs all chipped in.... Mark was the star of the occasion.we were joined by gorgeous Eye Candy caddie, Rebecca Keen who brought much needed glamour to our colourful team.

The winning TSG defending Champions

 In the main comp I was paired with Mr Trilby , 2008 winner Steve Cowle, once gain we had a great time but frankly never threatened to pull of a victory in the event for my cup THE HALLIWELL Cup, congrats to James Graham who I played with in 2010 when I won the event, clearly he learned something. The week culminated in the final team event when I joined the Nailcote Hall select team featuring great mate and trick shot star David Edwards and fine veteran Maurice Bembridge. Another first place to end in my opinion the best ever BP3. Thanks to Rick and Sue from Nailcote. Rick the course gets better. John and the Champions team.. U r all stars..... Many thanks.


My new home Town, Hawes in Wensleydale

Our new business no time to golf
 













                                      The putt that give big Steve second, how did it slip by

Then a third at splendid moor Allerton and an enjoyable day with old mate Steve Howarth who finished second..... What a golfing month.

LIVING THE DREAM Release details

Here it is, in all its glory.... The Social Golfers second book...."Living the Dream"..... A golf and Travel book that covers my continued recovery from stroke.... featuring sections on Competitive Golf..... my efforts around the globe, some success, plenty of failure but a plethora of great memories.
My epic Round the World in 80 day trip is ofcourse well featured as are  my other trips to destinations not normaaly considered as Golf Hotspots but readon!!!  TSG will always find some golf.... even in VENICE.....   Disabilities Golf is ofcourse covered as well as a general po pourri of golfing trivia, jokes and humour always found in 19th holes everywhere.
      Book will also be available on ebay.... Hardback, full colour over 250 pages   £14.99  $20.00

                       Team TSG, Villa legend Bobby Thomson, TSG, Peg and Skitty
                                               Clinch another title
The Official Launch quite fittingly will be at THE BRITISH PAR 3 at the revamped, more difficult, splendid Cromwell Course at Nailcote Hall.  Pesky RICK CRESSMAN (Mr BP3) has put more water hazards in play.

Prior to this TSG and Peg (Roger Hurcombe) head up to the home of Golf at St.Andrews for a week long festival of golf. If the boat from China ( bringing my books ) is not delayed I may have some available here. We shall see.

Reunion Where I won on the Golf Channel Tour... Guuys make hay before I return.          

July is shaping up to be quite a busy time.. TSG PRO   Mark ( the HONEY) Mouland is on tour both in Europe and the Champions Tour in USA.... i am pleased to say he his playing some great very competitive golf.... must be all my tips.  LOL....  Peg is off to Holland for the Dutch Open, with Andy Gardiner ( the new Czech Open Champ) in the EDGA ( disabilities) Tour. Good luck to both guys.
David Bulger has been joined by Paddy James Rearden on the Golf Channell AM Tour in Orlando. I wish them well because when i return later in the year, I intend to kick their butts.

Mottram last year, can I go one better.

TSG heads of to bunkerfest 3 at Belton Woods, were I did ofcourse clean up last year. Not sure if my game is aquite at same standard think I peeked at our TEAM Social Golfer victory in the Show AM last month..... but youve gotta be in it to win it. Then of to Mottram for the G Tour event I was runner up here in 2011 and I do play the course quite well, so heres hoping. Then St Andrews and the BP3. Sadly as we are house moving it appears I wont make the British Disabled Open  so let Peg, Andy and Tony clean up, I hope.    Then its of to Portugal end of Sept for the Obidus Classic then back to states for the Florida Open and my USA Book Launch.

KEEP WELL and in GOOD HEALTH......                 HAPPY GOLF is GOOD GOLF....

                                                               Hit it HARD MY FRIENDS

The Last time the Florida Open was at Kissimme Bay in 2009 look who won!!