The ninth annual Social Golfer Par 3 Championship, held on August 23, 2024, at Pelham Place Golf Centre in Kent, England, concluded with an inspirational victory by Paul Houghton, an amputee golfer from Essex. This victory not only marked Houghton’s initial championship win at The Social Golfer events but also carried deep personal significance.
Paul Houghton’s win came under notably poignant circumstances—shortly after learning about the death of his close friend, Mike. “This win is special. Not only is it my first win at The Social Golfer events, but it will always remind me of my friend Mike, who has always been a great support to me and my disability,” Houghton expressed. His final match-winning shot, a near-perfect tee that landed 18 inches from the pin, was not just a display of skill but a tribute to his late friend.
This championship, which attracted golfers from various parts of England with handicaps ranging from 7 to 36, is known for its competitive spirit and the high quality of its par-3 course, considered one of the best in South England. The format saw participants initially play over 27 holes, from which the top six advanced to an 18th-hole shootout. It was here that Houghton clinched his victory in a playoff against former Par 3 champion Steve Slater from Hertfordshire.
In addition to celebrating Houghton’s triumph, the championship also highlighted the significant progress toward inclusivity in golf. Houghton, who has represented his country in the EDGA Tour and is a veteran disability golfer, remarked on the inclusivity he experiences in these events. “What I love about playing in these tournaments is that no one treats me any differently from an able-bodied golfer, which shows how far we have come in combating prejudice in our sport. However, we’ve still got a long way to go to achieve complete parity, but sports like golf offer us that opportunity.”
Echoing Houghton’s sentiments, Ian Mullins, editor of The Social Golfer, expressed his pleasure over the event’s outcome. “I am so chuffed for Paul. Not only has he been a great supporter of our events, but it’s great to see him demonstrate his talent to a wider audience,” Mullins stated. He also took the opportunity to thank the event sponsors, Gogogo Sport Rangefinders and Golf News Magazine, for their continued promotion of disability golf.
The championship proved to be a showcase of golf’s ability to bring together players from all walks of life, delighting in their shared passion for the sport. This sentiment was aptly summarized by Mullins: “The broad smile on his face as the winning putt rolled in shows how much pleasure this game can bring to anyone from all walks of life!”
In addition to Houghton and Slater, finalists included Linda Fagg and Mark Crane from Kent, Judy Lilley and Steve Hunt from London, all of whom demonstrated exceptional skill and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Mike Aherne also walked away with the Golf News Guest Trophy, providing yet another highlight in this spectrum of achievements.
As the dust settles on this year’s tournament, the diverse field and the exceptional level of play not only highlight the championship’s competition but also its role as a critical platform for advancing sports inclusivity, setting a striking example for other sports disciplines around the globe.
