It’s no secret that right here within the UK millennials are beginning to breathe extra life into the sport of golf.
However for some youthful gamers, notably these dwelling in city areas like London, many are unable to often get out on the golf course to play competitively and take part in competitions.
Notably in these attempting instances, enjoying golf with associates has needed to take a back-seat for lots of people under the age of 35, with gear prices, inexperienced charges and transport mounting as much as be an expense that many at present discover tough to afford.
Just lately, although, I’ve come throughout a floor breaking new enterprise that’s shaking up how golfers can get out on the course and compete with one another extra often.
Introducing Springfield Golf (opens in new tab). An thrilling new model who’re taking over the golf occasions market, with a purpose to assist novice gamers meet new individuals, play competitively and get out on the fairways extra typically.
Springfield Golf host common occasions all through the summer season for gamers of all capability ranges at among the UK’s finest golf programs.
(Picture credit score: James West)
What’s Springfield Golf?
Described as a ‘feel-good’ and ‘social’ strategy to society golf, Springfield are taking inspiration from the Barstool Basic, working specialist golf occasions which might be open to all novice gamers.
Born in 2020 because the mind youngster of golf loving entrepreneurs James West and Ollie Blackburn, Springfield golf go ‘above and past your expectations to ship greater than only a day on the fairways’ internet hosting a spread of aggressive occasions for golfers of all capability ranges.
Each Ollie and James stay in London and came upon themselves that gaining access to high quality programs at good costs was changing into tougher and tougher, which partially, impressed them to begin Springfield Golf (opens in new tab).
The blokes realised that “there may be nothing higher than enjoying golf with all of your buddies” and hatched a plan to organise a sequence of golf occasions for associates, household and anybody who needed to play social match golf.
“It is virtually like the biggest golf society the place fairly actually anybody is welcome to affix!”
James West and Ollie Blackburn
After plenty of planning, principally on the nineteenth gap of the Coulsdon Manor Golf Membership in Surrey, which as James says “fittingly ended up being the venue for his or her very first occasion”, they set out the plan to host their inaugural match which occurred in Could 2020.
And by all accounts it was an enormous success.
“Our first occasion banged and our associates needed extra. We realised that so many novice golfers crave that sense of competitiveness while additionally having a great time with their mates,” the blokes stated.
“There did not seem like many golf occasions on the market for amateurs that mixed a aggressive component with an entertaining, social and fashionable strategy, so we got here up with the ‘Highway To The Belfry’ sequence.
“It is virtually like the biggest golf society the place fairly actually anybody is welcome to affix!”
Meet James West (left) and Ollie Blackburn (proper) the brains behind Springfield Golf.
(Picture credit score: Springfield Golf)
Three years and a number of other occasions later, together with a global journey to Portugal, Springfield Golf has grown to changing into one of many up-and-coming golf occasions manufacturers within the UK.
It is clear their social and relaxed strategy to organising aggressive golf occasions may be very in style amongst youthful golfers, with their occasions often promoting out, with some even welcoming upwards of 60 golfers.
And plenty of their inspiration to host the occasions got here from a current journey to America, the place the model seen some huge variations in how golf is performed throughout the pond.
“Having visited final 12 months (and this may increasingly simply be a Florida factor), golf within the States is on a very totally different degree in so some ways,” stated James, who took a visit to Miami final 12 months to pattern {the golfing} exploits the Sunshine State has to supply.
“Inclusive, relaxed, welcoming, pleasant,” he added. “No wasted tees, buggies with each inexperienced payment, meet and greet on arrival. There’s a lot extra concentrate on having a fantastic day trip and never taking your self too critically.”
After attending a number of occasions myself, I can safely say that Springfield ship on these three features, creating a really distinctive expertise that endeavours to make sure each participant meets somebody new and has a good time on the golf course.
However this 12 months is about to be the most important but for Springfield, because the model are gearing as much as embark on an enormous enterprise, asserting their flagship occasion the ‘Highway to the Belfry’ – extra on that in a second.
“Once we say everyone seems to be welcome, we imply it. We have had company who’ve shot -3 gross, and we have had company who’ve shot 130.”
James West and Ollie Blackburn
So how does Springfield Golf work?
The corporate combine all the most effective components of a golf day collectively to create a contemporary and sociable setting, whereas retaining a pleasant, but aggressive component too.
There’s a huge emphasis on assembly different gamers, integration with the entire group and simply usually having a good time.
Yearly the model run a number of tournaments across the UK with gamers in a position to enroll to play at any occasion of their selecting.
There aren’t any membership charges, no subscriptions and also you needn’t have an official handicap to play. Expertise degree will not be a problem both, and whereas all golfers should play off a handicap of 28 or decrease for scoring functions, those that are above which might be nonetheless in a position to take part.
All of Springfield’s particular person participant occasions are performed as singles stableford tournaments, whereas all year long the model additionally host some staff and pairs occasions that are run in a better-ball format.
Springfield Golf on the Boa Vista Golf Resort in Portugal in 2022.
(Picture credit score: Future)
Previously, the model have organised golf weekends up and down the nation, at programs like Wyboston Lakes (opens in new tab), Coulsdon Manor in Surrey, Woolston Manor in East London and even additional afield to the Boa Vista Golf Resort in Portugal.
I travelled with the group out to the Algarve final November for the ‘Inaugural Springfield Worldwide’ and it was a blast.
From the airport taxi to our submit spherical BLT sandwiches, Springfield’s professionalism and expertise organising large-scale occasions made the week among the best golf holidays I have been on. Every little thing was taken care of and all we would have liked to fret about was enjoying half-decent golf!
The good information is that in the event you’re trying to make new associates and play competitively, you will get concerned this summer season in Springfield’s largest enterprise but, the ‘Highway to the Belfry’.
Toby Chaplin wins a playoff gap on the Springfield Open together with his caddie Tom Gilbey, who donned a novelty Masters caddie shell go well with for the playoff.
(Picture credit score: James West)
What’s the street to the Belfry?
The Highway to the Belfry sequence is shaping as much as be probably the most hotly anticipated golf occasions within the UK this summer season.
Springfield are set to host host 5 qualifying tournaments up and down the nation, with all roads pointing to a grand finale at The Belfry in August.
So how does it work? Effectively, anybody no matter age, expertise or handicap can enter into one or as lots of the Highway to the Belfry qualifying occasions as they need.
The tournaments will run in a singles stableford format, with the highest six gamers at every of these qualifying occasions gaining a berth on the at marquee occasion at The Belfry, which boasts a money prize of £3,500 for the general winner.
Alongside the way in which you can tee it up at among the finest golf programs within the nation, together with the gorgeous Shrigley Hall Country Club (opens in new tab), Wyboston Lakes Golf Club (opens in new tab), Telford Golf Club (opens in new tab) , De Vere Wokefield Estate (opens in new tab) and Tudor Park (opens in new tab).
One of many nice issues about any Springfield Golf occasion is that you’re at all times assured to be enjoying at a top quality venue that may take a look at all components of your recreation.
And we are able to attest to that declare, as we’ve got beforehand written opinions on a few of these programs, together with the Telford Golf Membership (opens in new tab) in Shropshire, a course that Masters champion Ian Woosnam recorded his first skilled win at no much less.
However it’s clear that there’s a demand for areas already as Springfield say they’ve already offered out tickets for his or her match at Wyboston Lakes Golf Membership. However do not fret although, there are nonetheless loads of different probabilities to take part in the summertime of motion.
All you might want to do is head over to www.SpringfieldGolf.co.uk and take a look at their occasions pages. Right here you may discover loads of info on when the occasions are going down, what you may must carry and the way a lot every occasion prices.
Listed below are the important thing dates to remember:
- North West Qualifier at the Shrigley Hall Golf & Country Club (opens in new tab), April thirtieth – Could 1st, 2023.
- North London Qualifier at Wyboston Lakes Golf Resort (opens in new tab), (SOLD OUT).
- Midlands Qualifier at Telford Golf Club (opens in new tab), Could twenty eighth – twenty ninth, 2023.
- West London Qualifier at De Vere Estate Golf Club (opens in new tab), June 18th – nineteenth, 2023.
- South East Qualifier at Tudor Park Golf Club (opens in new tab), July twenty third – twenty fourth, 2023.
- The Final at The Belfry (opens in new tab), August eleventh 2023.
The model often caters for big teams of gamers at among the finest golf programs within the UK.
(Picture credit score: James West)
So who’re the occasions for and the way do they work?
There isn’t a restriction on who can and might’t attend a Springfield Golf occasion. In case you like golf and wish to take pleasure in a sunny day trip on the fairways then Springfield is definitely for you!
Whereas Springfield say their occasions are principally focused in direction of a youthful crowd, additionally they state that golfers of all ages are welcome to affix in and play.
“We’re lucky to have a extremely stable core of fantastic mates who unfold the phrase,” Ollie stated. “Now everybody who enjoys a spherical of golf and a visit away is welcome. Anybody who attends a SG (Springfield Golf) occasion change into a part of our widespread society.
“Once we say everyone seems to be welcome, we imply it!
“We have had company who’ve shot -3 gross, and we have had company who’ve shot 130! In case you like golf and also you just like the social aspect that comes with it, you then’ll love a SG occasion.”
@springfield.golf (opens in new tab)
♬ original sound – Springfield Golf (opens in new tab)
And there may be definitely a relaxed and inclusive environment at every match. You instantly really feel such as you’re a part of the Springfield household no matter your expertise or your handicap.
However the values, traditions and sportsmanship of golf are additionally definitely not forgotten both.
Arriving on the occasion, you may be greeted by one of many hosts, who will instantly combine you into the group. Bacon sandwiches are at all times going round and you will additionally obtain a welcome pack that features high-quality branded merchandise, together with tees, balls, a glove, a towel in your bag in addition to a run down of the times occasions.
That actually offers the occasion a premium really feel, however that is solely the beginning.
Springfield Golf ship premium welcome packs to all individuals on arrival.
(Picture credit score: James West)
Issues warmth up after the opening tee shot is performed and there is loads of wholesome competitors for the prizes on provide. They may usually embody an general stableford winner’s prize and a closest to the pin problem – clearly a staple of any good golf match.
“The very first thing you discover while you arrive at a SG occasion is the environment of the event. I say that not in a boastful manner, however most of our company have not performed in a golf competitors like SG earlier than,” James and Ollie inform us.
“You’ll be able to’t fairly replicate that first tee environment. We love the truth that all our company arrive earlier than the primary group have tee’d off, and you may actually really feel the nervousness and pleasure within the air.
“Basically, it is 60 golfers all hoping they do not slice their tee shot into the lake or bushes!
“We at all times throw just a few new surprises on the market for every occasion and we’re excited to disclose what we have been engaged on for this sequence. We have gone fairly daring and hope to make our presence identified…”
Bacon rolls on the primary tee at Coulsdon Manor.
(Picture credit score: James West)
One cool characteristic I really like in regards to the occasions are that you simply’re in a position to entry Digital leaderboards in your smartphone by way of an app, which can also be the place you may additionally report the rating in your group.
You will obtain actual time updates that’ll inform you how everyone seems to be enjoying, the place you sit within the standings and extra importantly who you have to beat to win the match.
Once we say Springfield have considered all the things, we imply it! Even the massive outsized cheques which might be offered to the winner after you’ve got tucked into your post-round dinner. Or the humorous caddie shell fits which might be typically worn when there may be an 18th gap playoff, akin to what you may see caddies carrying on the Masters later this week.
Springfield golf typically host an 18th gap playoff to determine the winner of their occasions. Right here gamers are requested to decide on a caddie to assist them through the deciding holes. Caddies will then be requested to put on the traditional shell fits which might be seen within the Masters to construct the suspense across the playoff.
(Picture credit score: James West)
What does the long run seem like for Springfield?
The Highway to the Belfry is the most important sequence of occasions the model have organised however the guys have huge ambitions for the long run with lots extra occasions and social tournaments to return later within the Autumn and in 2024.
Whereas Ollie and James are conserving tight lipped on what’s developing, they’ve implied that there could possibly be one other worldwide journey within the works for later this 12 months.
They’re additionally hoping to develop the profile of the game and appeal to a extra numerous crowd to their occasions, together with extra feminine gamers.
“One in all our huge intentions for subsequent 12 months and past is to draw extra feminine golfers,” stated James.
“We’re all about rising the sport, conserving it enjoyable, light-hearted and inclusive to all while making certain the aggressive component stays all through.”
Novelty over-sized cheques are offered to the winners at every match.
(Picture credit score: James West)
How are you going to get entangled in a Springfield Golf occasion?
Springfield Golf are at all times on the lookout for new gamers so if you wish to get entangled in enjoyable, aggressive golf all you might want to do is head over to their web site www.SpringfieldGolf.co.uk (opens in new tab) and signal as much as certainly one of their occasions.
Remember to additionally give the model a observe on Instagram (opens in new tab), Twitter (opens in new tab) and TikTok (opens in new tab) the place Springfield are continually dropping new and thrilling golf content material together with a really modern spherical of golf utilizing ChatGPT as a caddy.
You too can drop James and Ollie a message at hiya@springfieldgolf.co.uk or head to their FAQ pages (opens in new tab) in the event you’ve acquired any questions on the occasions.
