Aaron and Claire make little bit of history at Crowborough Beacon

Aaron Smith won the Anniversary Trophy with 37 points and Claire Boucher scooped the Anniversary Salver with 31 points.

Aaron, who played on the Saturday, said: “It was extremely windy and wet, I did contemplate taking my flippers and snorkel!”

However, after a shaky start he managed to get through the front nine with an average score and followed this up with a stronger back nine, scoring four points on the long 14th hole which was made even harder as it was against the wind.

He thanked his playing partners Dion Austin and Julian Weatherley for their upbeat attitude which he felt really contributed to his game and said he was absolutely delighted to have won the trophy.

John Witherenden and Paul Kemp were hot on Aaron’s heels, both scoring 36 points but John taking second place with a better back nine than Paul.

Claire, who also played on the Saturday, said: “That was a very hard-earned 31 points in horrendous conditions.

“I did not think it was good enough to win even a sausage. That only goes to show - never give up.”

She said she was thrilled to be the first winner of the salver.

Pamela Wilson-Quinn and Lady Captain Lindsay Young both scored 30 points; however Pamela, who has only been a member at Crowborough since July, took the runners-up spot with a better back nine than Lindsay.

Other competitions held in October were a Stableford with 61 entries.

The winner with 38 points was John Spreadbury, who beat Geoffrey Thomas into second place on countback.

Another Stableford on attracted 53 competitors with Mark Patten scoring 39 points taking first place, followed by Lady Captain Lindsay Young with 37 points and Emma Morgan with 35 points.

Piltdown golf

Piltdown GC juniors played their club championship to round off an excellent season of golf.

Juniors with handicaps ranging from five to 47 took part and in the scratch event the hot favourite, 13-year-old Ethan Randall, shot an impressive 72 to win well.

Aiden Hill took second place in the scratch and scored 43 points in the handicap event, but was just outgunned by nine-year-old Jack Wills who came first with a magnificent 44 points. Ethan won the longest drive and Will Zlattinger won nearest the pin. For the benefit of less experienced golfers a Texas scramble was held alongside the championship, held over eight holes and won by Ted Francis, Molly Francis, Harvey Nolan and Luke Hampton in 32 shots.

Awards were also presented to Patrick Heagerty, who recently won the Junior Matchplay knockout, beating Ethan Randall in a closely contested final, and to Ryan Wills, who is this year’s most improved junior golfer.

Club manager Phil Bonsall praised Piers Heagerty for the work he has done to build up a very junior and family section.

The annual Henry Longhurst mixed knockout reached its finale and was won by Mark and Sheila Horscroft, who beat Harvey and Jo Linehan on the 17th hole.

Club manager Bonsall won the final of the Hawes Scratch knockout and paid tribute to opponent Paul Cowdy who reached the final playing off nine.

Sacha Newell made a hole in one on the 18th with a magnificent shot which, said her playing partner ‘was never going anywhere other than in the hole’.