March News...

Dear TSGers, the theme of this month's E-mag is all about 'getting involved!'. Want to play with the TSG Team at The Cairns Cup? Want to win a Tees-Caddie? Want to play at one of this year's TSG Majors? Would like to launch your own charity golf event? Want to donate to the GolfersforUkraine fund? Don't sit on the sidelines anymore! Get Involved! Till next time... Ian - Editor

#TSGISAHAPPYPLACE  #BEHAPPY 

The global golf industry has launched an appeal to raise funds for UNICEF and its work, supporting the people of Ukraine.

Leading golf bodies including the R&A, the PGA, the Ladies European Tour, the DP World Tour and many other associations and governing bodies are promoting the hashtag #GOLFERSFORUKRAINE and the website golfersforukraine.com, where donations to support UNICEF’s work in Ukraine can be made...

The TSG Masters - Stableford Abbotts GC, Essex (NEW venue)

TSG Major Winners & Qualifiers from 2019, 2020 and 2021 + BALLOT Entries

TSG COMPETITION: WIN A TEES-CADDIE!

Jimmy Powells, a golfer at Arcot Hall Golf Club in Northumberland, has come up with a unique accessory for holding castle tees, traditional tees and ball markers. No more losing tees, fumbling around in your golf bags for the right replacement AND no more carrying a few tees in your trouser pocket, usually ending up with holes in your trouser pockets. Jimmy concluded that a handy external bag attachment would be the answer. The traditional styles which have been on the market for many years had never really been designed to properly secure castle tees, so he launched Tees-Caddie.

It holds 5 castle tees, 5 traditional tees, 2 ball markers and will hang from a variety of places on a golf bag or perhaps on your trolley, buggy or even belt. Ideal as a retail product but also perfect as a promotional item or away day gift. It is available in four colours for £6.50 each.

So, to congratulate Jimmy on his invention, we're giving TSGers the chance to win one of five items. Just answer the following question...

Q. How Many Castle Tees does the Tees-Caddie hold?

Just email the TSG Team with your answers at theteam@thesociagolfer.com

TSG SPONSORSHIP: The Cairns Cup - Join the TSG Team...

Between now and the tee-off in May 2022, TSG will be supporting this unique and special inaugural EUROPE vs USA event. And as an official sponsor of the event, we have entered TWO teams in the Players Charity Fundraising Day held at The Shire - London on Monday 9th May.

EVERYONE attending will get the chance to play 18 holes with one of the world's best impaired golfers, as well as take part in SIX nearest pins and the longest drive competition - courtesy of PXG!

The day will include coffee & bacon rolls, 18 holes of golf (on the UK's ONLY Seve course) followed by a three-course Gala Dinner in the evening. In addition to the Gala Dinner, there will be guest speakers and an auction where you can win some fantastic prizes donated by PXG, Callaway, Adidas and many more.

HOW TO ENTER...

For your chance to win one of ONLY three places on the day and represent the TSG community, we are holding an auction for these places. Not to give you a steer on bids, but a round of golf alone at The Shire is approx. £60 Mon-Fri...

This will be an OPEN auction, whereby you are invited to make your bid on the TSG forums pages, with the deadline for all bids being SUNDAY 17th April.

MAKE YOUR BID NOW >>

N.B. EVERY penny raised by TSG will go to The Cairns Cup charity ensuring the event becomes a permanent fixture on the international golfing calendar.

TSG BLOG: Getting the most from your Golf Society or Charity Event

Planning a Golf Day

Organising a golf day of any magnitude is not as easy as people make out. Therefore, it’s very important that you find volunteers to help - before, during and after the event. This will help in making decisions that leave no stone unturned and important things don’t get forgotten. 

The venue choice is very important. Choosing a golf course that’s not too difficult, well-manicured and with limited rough, while still offering many challenges, will keep players of all abilities wanting to join the day and support the event.

The Clubhouse should also be able to cater for many people during the day, as well as an evening function, if that’s what you’re offering.  Organisers often prefer member’s clubs because they benefit most from holding an event and are more attentive than the popular corporate venues. They also seem to give better value for money!

Format

Choose a format that people will enjoy, based on players’ handicaps and abilities. Here are a few suggestions:

• Texas Scramble – Very popular for beginners, those new to the game and non-golfers.
• Best Ball – Either in teams of 2, 3 or 4 (Stableford is preferred as it helps with speed of play, however, stroke play is another option)
• Alternate Shot – Known as Foursomes, it’s not common on golf days but can be fun.
• Waltz (123, 123) – Teams of 3 with 1 out 3 scores to count on the first hole, 2 out 3 scores to count on the second hole and all 3 scores to count on the third hole, then repeat until the end of round.
• Danger Ball – Teams of 3 or 4 where each player takes it in turn, hole by hole, to use a coloured ball. Their score must count on that hole along with 1 score from the remaining players. However, if the ball gets lost at any time, then your score is frozen.
• Yellow Ball – When planning a golf day, a good competition within a competition is to see how far a team can get a coloured ball around the course without losing it. Each player takes it in turn to play a hole. If they don’t lose the ball, the next hole it then passes on to the next player. The team that gets the ball furthest without losing the ball wins.
• Skill Tests - Nearest Pins, Straightest and/or Longest Drive competitions.

Fundraising for a Society or Charity

To encourage people to join the event, entry fees should be competitively priced. Negotiate with the golf club for a good deal. Ask for 1 in 8 to go free. This can raise funds towards your target. On the day, you can raise money by running any of the following ideas:

• Raffle Tickets
• Mulligans – Re-play a shot without penalty e.g., 3 Mulligans for £10
• Charity Bunker – Anyone going in bunker pays a fine
• Hit or Miss green on a Par 3 – Hit go into a draw, Miss pays a fine
• LIVE Auction – 4 balls vouchers are great for this
• Hole sponsorship
• You could just leave a donation envelope on the table after the meal.

To help with fundraising, it’s important to get all golf prizes, raffle prizes and auction items donated from any source available. Just ask your local professional to donate a prize and ask golf clubs to donate a 4-ball voucher. If it’s a charity golf event, they usually oblige. 

Also, approach local businesses close to the chosen golf club...READ MORE

TSG PARTNER NEWS: LEADING COURSES

Over the last year Leading Courses' users have booked, played and reviewed their favourite courses and now they are announcing the winners of their Golfers’ Choice Awards for 2022.

These rankings, as chosen by golfers from all over Europe and are arguably the most transparent Golf Awards in the world. Instead of relying on cherry-picked golf critics to highlight the best courses throughout Europe, they rely on actual site visitors and golfers. Whether you're new to golf, an amateur golfer or a pro, your feedback determines the outcome of our Golfer's Choice Awards.

Has your favourite course made the cut? Take a look - CLICK HERE

TSG LEADERBOARD: (sponsored by 2fore1.co.uk)

Martin Brown at Top Meadow GC (White tees) with an EXCEPTIONAL = 42 pts. 

Well done to Martin on his FIRST leaderboard win and the first since joining the site in 2017! Welcome to the 2022 TSG Masters, Mr Brown.

The TSG GREEN towel is on its way to you.

H'cap change: 22.7 to 20.1   

TSG PARTNER OFFER: Praia Verde Boutique Hotel, East Algarve

Set amongst a lush green pine tree forest is the Praia Verde Boutique Hotel, a splendid 4-star suite accommodation retreat located in Castro Marim, just a 5-minute drive away from the centre of Monte Gordo and just 900 yards away from the picturesque Praia Verde beach. 

• 4 nights, B&B + 3 rounds (Monte Rei, Quinta do Vale, Quinta da Ria) + Buggies included at Monte Rei + Room upgrade -- £669

Visit www.golf-escapes.com/praia-verde-boutique-hotel

As things continue to improve and travel becomes a real possibility, when you are ready to discuss the latest options and travel advice, give the team a call to find out more on 01342 811 777.  Their impartial advice is second to none, and with more years of experience in the team than we would like to admit, we will find the perfect escape for you and your group.

Don't forget to mention THE SOCIAL GOLFER and get £25 off your booking!

 TSG POLO SHIRT(in Green or Black)

• Micro-fine Pique
• Permanent wicking yarn technology
• Regular fit with 2 button placket
• 1×1 ribbed collar
• Weight 180 gsm
• Sizes from XXS-3XL (Black to 5XL)
• Forest Green or Black

Cost = £25.00 (Incl. P&P)

REVIEW OF THE MONTH: Stocks Golf Club, Tring, Hertfordshire, UK

"Cracking course..." 

Stocks Golf Club is tucked away between Ashridge GC and Tring town, east of Aylesbury in the Chiltern Hills. Not the easiest place in the world to get to but it is worth the visit. It has been open since the mid-nineties and with the generosity of the owner, they have a very welcoming clubhouse and a superb golf course.

The course is well maintained and, thankfully, the deep rough has been chopped down, ready for the spring growth to cause problems for wayward golfers again. Due to the cut back of the rough, the course appears to be very open at first glance, but many of the planted trees are still growing and therefore take up less space than a long-established course.

Overall, the Greens are quite fast, but, more importantly, they are true. I guess the members tend to look after repair of pitch marks, unlike many other courses. Bunkers are also well maintained and have real sand in them (makes a change). If you get the chance, go play.

If it was on my doorstep, I'd seriously look at membership, but a 40-minute drive (if you are lucky) is too much for me. That said, looking at their website, it seems visitors are not 'in high demand', so perhaps you need to know someone maybe?

I will hopefully visit again in the next few months (providing my club gets drawn against them again) - but would happily return if there was a game posted on TSG!

John Barber (16 H'cap), Hertfordshire