The Publican Pub Golf Tournament 2011: Playing with Pride
Tee time is fast approaching for the most popular amateur golf tournament in the UK.
Thousands of players representing hundreds of pubs are preparing to take part in The Publican Pub Golf Tournament 2011, sponsored by Fuller's London Pride.
The event, which has been running for 15 years, gives players of all abilities the chance to compete for the title and win a luxury trip to the renowned Spanish golfing resort of La Manga.
The competition will get under way in March with teams of four, representing pubs and clubs, battling it out in a series of regional events.
Enter today and play a round!
To register your interest or for more information, fill in the online form or call Teresa on 01662 790100
• Teams must be entered under the name of a pub/club anywhere in the UK
• All players must be 18 years or over
• Teams must consist of four players
• Ladies and mixed teams are welcome
• Competition will be a four-ball Stableford with all four scores counting
• Maximum handicap is 24 for men and 30 for women.
Compete with the best in the trade
More than 3,000 players are expected to take part in the tournament, which will be held at 30 top courses across the country.
After a series of area heats and finals through March to July the winning teams will battle it out in the grand final for the chance to head to La Manga in southern Spain.
The prize will give the winners the chance to play on a world-famous course, then afterwards recount stories of where the round went right (or wrong) in the relaxing surroundings of the five-star complex.
But glory is not the only thing on offer for licensees. Over the years, numerous pubs have used the event as a great way to say thank you to loyal customers or as a chance to network with other operators to discuss life in the trade.
Last year's winners were the Black Horse in Pembury, Kent, led by the licensee at the freehouse, Gary Coldwell. He said the team is keen to defend the title it has now won on three occasions but added that the beauty of the event is the chance it presents to treat customers.
"We are looking forward to trying to defend our title, but the main thing for us is that it is a great social opportunity," he said.
"We get to take customers out, and for pubs that might not have a golf society it is a really good event, well organised and not expensive."
And a survey from last year reveals how popular the event is with 100 per cent from the 2010 tournament planning on entering this year and 95 per cent ranking the courses used in the heats and finals as four or five out of five.
The format for the area heats includes coffee on arrival, 18 holes of golf, a halfway house with complementary refreshments (including a London Pride to help you through the back nine) and a number of prizes and challenges throughout the day.
Mark Roberts is the marketing manager for Fuller's London Pride, which is backing the event for the fifth consecutive year.
He said: "We are delighted that London Pride is supporting The Publican Pub Golf Tournament 2011. The event is one of the biggest and best of its kind and is a great way for managers and licensees to build relationships with their customers.
"Whether the teams qualify for the later stages or just have a great day out, they can head back to the pub and discuss those birdie opportunities or missed putts over a pint of London Pride, the official beer of the English Golf Union."
