WINTER/SPRING NEWSLETTER

Dear TSGers, as we turn the corner from winter to spring, we have so much to share! This newsletter covers the following:

• The Social Golfer Charity for 2024
• 2024 The Social Golfer Majors
• Site New Pages Update
• The Oldest Golfer in Africa!
• Today's Golfer Survey Winners

Ian and the TSG Team

#TSGISAHAPPYPLACE  #BEHAPPY 

TSG CHARITY 2024: The Cairns Cup

As our long-term TSGers will know, every year we choose a golf charity to support at our events each year. This year sees us return to The Cairns Cup - Golf's Premier Disability Match Play Event between the USA and Europe.

The Cairns Cup is a completely inclusive golf event that allows golfers with varying abilities and disabilities to compete on the highest platform possible. The first event took place at The Shire - London in May 2022 and was played over 3 days with 6 Fourballs, 6 Foursomes, and 12 single matches.

We are particularly happy to support this event in 2024, as it sees (for the first time in any sport) two female Captains lead their respective teams in an international golf event!

The USA team took victory in 2022, so it's paramount we give all the support we can to the European guys & gals, as we help them get the team to Detroit, Michigan! This event is on 1st - 3rd August and available via TSG partners LIVESportNow >>

We'll be updating you more on this superb golfing charity throughout the year!

TSG EVENTS 2024: The Majors...

We can now formally announce the dates and venues for three out of four of our 2024 TSG majors. We are still finalising this year's TSG PAR 3 event (but this is mainly due to a date change) because we have brought forward the TSG OPEN to June and will switch the TSG PAR 3 event to August.

In the meantime, 2024 sees us return to The Heron GC for the TSG Masters (sold out) and to Farleigh GC for the TSG Pairs Event. PLUS, sign up for the TSG MatchPlay Knock-Out Championship that starts in May and ends in Sept! 

Don't delay, sign up today...

Current TSG Masters Champion - Chris Potten

Current TSG OPEN Champions - Judy Lilley & Richard Scott

Current TSG Matchplay Champion - Dave Johnson

Current TSG Matchplay Champion - Rob Webb & Gary Wilson

TSG EVENTS: The Social Golfer Pairs

Following the success of last year's unofficial '5th Major', we invite you to join us at the Finals Day of the TSG Matchplay (see above) and take part in the TSG PAIRS 2024 event.

Otherwise known as The Kirstie Cup - named after long-term TSG member Gary Wilson’s Daughter, who he lost to Cancer aged only 26. You can enter the event by signing up to the game page below.

Don't worry if you don't have a 'pair' we'll hook you up with a playing partner on the day!

(image above an example only)

TSG SITE UPDATE: Course Pages

As with all things, there comes a time when you need to do a spring clean!

This time we concentrate on updating the TSG Course pages.

Not only will the new pages be quicker to load, but they will also give more detailed information, better images (bear with us with these!), and suggestions for other courses nearby.

In addition, we have also added a 'Thumbs Up' button. So, you can let your fellow TSGers know what you think of their reviews!

Furthermore, we hope to later add a weather widget to the page, meaning you can see the predicted weather patterns at the course. You will also note that the Player Profile image on these pages will display your current TDG Handicap and be colour-coded, meaning you can quickly identify which members are PRO and Handicap Subscribers!

Finally,  we have added additional Menu Items - Under TSG MAJORS - meaning you can find the next planned TSG event faster.

Next update - Player profiles!

TSG TRAVELS: Oldest Golfer in Africa!

On a recent trip to Uganda, Africa, Ian Mullins (TSG Editor) traveled to the city of Fort Portal. It was here he had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing the oldest golfer in Africa!

At 98 years old*, former Toro Western OPEN champion (1974 & 1975) Emmanual Basaliza is already a legend in his own country. However, as he demonstrated, he has not given up the game just yet and he still plays golf every day on the Putting Green he built at his home.

Oldest Golfer in Africa – The History

It was only a few years after the First World War, in 1925, that Razaro Rusoke Rwetumbura Adyeeri and Maria Ekyenda Ekuhaire welcomed their new son into the world. He was later schooled at St Peter and Paul Primary School, Virika (Primary), St Leo’s College Kyegobe (O-Level) and St Mary’s College Kisubi (A-Level).

At this point, he knew nothing of his future in the game of golf. At an early age, he had set his sights on becoming a Veterinary Officer, which he later achieved. But it was around this time that the colonial masters of the then British Protectorate started to play golf in the region. They had already constructed the Toro Golf Club near Bukwali on Kampala Road, but it was exclusively for whites.

In his own words…

“The first time I noticed people playing golf was when I was nine years old. I was fascinated by a group of old men hitting a white ball. I made it a habit of taking my father’s herd of goats to graze near the golf course where I would hide from the Europeans as I watched them play...

TSG COMPETITION: Golf Society Trip Survey

We asked TSGers to answer FIVE simple questions and WIN one of 5 Annual magazine subscriptions to Today's Golfer + 2 Runner-Up Prizes of a Dozen Callaway Staff Balls!

The FIVE Magazine subscriptions go to;

• Greg Butler, Rob Fisher, Paul Smith, Pete Mayo & Nicki Reynolds

And the TWO winners of Callaway Wilson Staff Golf balls are:

• Wayne Hobbs & Mike Medley

N.B. We have passed your names to Today's Golfer, who will be in touch shortly regarding your prizes!

TSG LEADERBOARD: Sponsored by Gogogo SPORT Rangefinders

October Winner

Dave Wright at Brentwood GC with 47 pts.  

November Winner

Ed McLatchie at Stapleford Abbotts GC with 43 pts.  

December Winner

Matt Parker at Noria GC with 44 pts.

January Winner

Matthew Heath at Pyrford GC with 45 pts.

The TSG GREEN towels are on their way to you...

(unless you already have one!)

BEST COURSE REVIEW: Foxhills GC, Surrey, UK

This is some spot!!

I returned to play at Foxhills after my initial round was rained off a few months ago. I managed to join 3 lads and make up a 4 ball.

The course had just had the fairways sanded which meant some shots were being played with a large amount of sand under your ball. It made it a bit Micky Mouse at times.

Otherwise the course we played - The Longcross - was great. It had challenging holes and was a bit tighter course than the other Bernard Hunt one. We had a good game with only a few mishaps on the way around.

They have great practice facilities and a nice atmosphere in the clubhouse, which caters for the tennis club and also the health and fitness club - it's a busy place. Maybe a bit pricey but I was using the voucher I won from The Social Golfer so I was quids in!! I may go back . . . if I can get a deal!!

John Donaldson (H'cap Index 9.0)