The Social Golfer stages 2021 Championship at Bletchingley

Online golf club and golf society The Social Golfer reunited for its first annual championship since 2019 at Bletchingley Golf Club in Surrey on August 1.

First held in 2010, this year’s event was in support of Blind Golf Scotland with the £1,500 raised on the day going towards helping to host the British Blind Open in 2022.

The day’s tournament comprised, an individual 18-hole Stableford competition (Men & Ladies) and a ‘Yellow Ball’ team event.

The Men’s Trophy was won by Sussex-based 17-handicapper Daniel Manning, who won with 39 points, finishing five clear of Steve Maggs, with John Cross in third with 33 points.

The Women’s Trophy went to Surrey-based Jill Daws with 29 points, who beat Kate Tan on countback. The Golf News Guest Trophy was won by Londoner John Donaldson with 34 points.

Golf News Guest Trophy winner John Donaldson

The Yellow Ball team competition was won by Michael Pitter, Paul Houghton, Ron Jackman and John Donaldson. There were also prizes on offer for the straightest drive (Barry Beard), two nearest-the-pins (John Barber and John Lyons), and a putting competition (Jill Daws), while a charity auction and raffle was also held after golf.

The event was also supported by Golf Escapes, Golf Deals Group, GoGoGo Sport, with more than £4,000 worth of 4-ball vouchers for the auction being donated by Scottish golf clubs such as Musselburgh, Ladybank, Cruden Bay and Crail Golf Society.

Speaking to Golf News after the event, Ian Mullins, organiser of The Social Golfer, said: “After the all the lockdowns and play suspension of the last 18 months, it was a pleasure to see so many golfers back at our events. In addition, it was lovely to see so many people happy to be socialising again after not having enjoyed a full-day event or get together since July 2019.”

He added: “While COVID has been bad for some, we are continuing to grow at a phenomenal rate, with over 38,000 golfers using the site in July 2021. As such, we look forward to putting on more and more Social Golfer events in 2022. However, we are very grateful to all our sponsors and supporters on the day, especially Golf News who we have enjoyed a relationship with for nearly ten years. Thanks for your on-going support!”

To join The Social Golfer, visit www.thesocialgolfer.com.