Royal Eastbourne Golf Club makes history with Sussex Scratch Trophy win

Royal Eastbourne Golf Club have made history by winning the Wellesley Wealth Sussex Scratch Trophy for the first time in the club's history, defeating Worthing Golf Club 7–5 in a thrilling final at Seaford Golf Club.

Played in glorious September sunshine on Saturday, September 5, the final saw Royal Eastbourne face a Worthing side with an outstanding record in the competition, having won the trophy 14 times. After years of near misses, Royal Eastbourne finally ended the wait and lifted the trophy for the first time in the club's history.

A large contingent of Royal Eastbourne members travelled to Seaford to support the team, creating an incredible atmosphere throughout the day.

The morning foursomes finished all square at 2–2. Nick Ward and Tom Breach fought hard but lost 4&3, before Sam Russell and Guy Dunstall produced an impressive 3&2 victory. Rob Hampson and Max Martin then went down 4&3 against a strong Worthing pairing, leaving Adrian Sharpin and Alex Hughes to level the match with an excellent 4&3 win, helped by a memorable 25-foot birdie from Adrian on the 13th.

The afternoon singles proved to be a dramatic battle.

Max Martin was first out and, despite battling hard, lost 4&2 to an opponent who putted exceptionally well.

Tom Breach, the club's General Manager, showed tremendous resilience after falling behind early. He fought his way back into the match before taking control to record a superb 3&1 victory.

Adrian Sharpin was involved in another closely fought contest. Despite taking his match all the way to the 18th, he narrowly lost 1 down.

Nick Ward then produced a fantastic finish. Having been one down for much of his match, Nick won the 15th, 16th and 17th to turn the contest around and secure a 2&1 victory.

The momentum continued with Guy Dunstall, who faced Worthing's 14-time Club Champion Scott Nightingale in what was Guy's final match representing Royal Eastbourne before beginning his new career as a professional golfer.

In a tense encounter, Guy holed a crucial six-foot par putt on the 17th to take control. One up playing the 18th, his tee shot found trouble in the bushes, but he produced one of the shots of the day to escape and find the green before two-putting for a memorable 1-up victory.

With Guy's win giving Eastbourne a crucial point, Rob Hampson was next to finish. Rob had battled hard throughout another tight contest but was beaten 2&1, leaving the overall score tied at 5–5.

Everything therefore rested on the final two matches.

Sam Russell, this year's Club Champion, had been given the opponent the team had targeted and found himself one down with just two holes remaining. With the instruction to win at all costs, Sam delivered in spectacular fashion. He won the 17th to take the match back to all square before finding the fairway and the 18th green in regulation.

When his Worthing opponent went long with his approach, Sam had a chance to win the match. He struck a beautifully judged birdie putt which disappeared into the hole, sparking a huge roar from the Royal Eastbourne supporters around the 18th green.

Sam had won, putting Eastbourne 6–5 ahead.

That left Alex Hughes, Royal Eastbourne's Scratch Manager, with the responsibility of securing the trophy.

Alex had been one down earlier in his match against Worthing General Manager Gary Salt but had fought back to all square on the 18th tee. A half was enough for Eastbourne.

Alex found the fairway with his drive, while Salt's tee shot found a fairway bunker. Salt's second then finished long and out of bounds, leaving Alex needing only to safely complete the hole. With the pressure of his team, supporters and the occasion on his shoulders, Alex produced a controlled wedge to the centre of the green.

The handshake followed.

Royal Eastbourne Golf Club were Wellesley Wealth Sussex Scratch Champions — for the first time in the club's history.

The final score: Royal Eastbourne 7–5 Worthing.

The historic victory represents the culmination of years of determination from the Royal Eastbourne Scratch team. Having come close on numerous occasions, the players finally delivered the club's first ever Sussex Scratch Trophy.

The successful Royal Eastbourne team was Alex Hughes, Sam Russell, Guy Dunstall, Nick Ward, Tom Breach, Adrian Sharpin, Rob Hampson and Max Martin.