The annual Lewes Supporters Club Golf day raised much-needed funds and no shortage of smiles, on a wet and wild afternoon atop a windswept Sussex downs.

Nine teams, led by Lewes FC President Terry Parris, playing with record goal-scoring brother Pip, and Supporters Club Chair Dave Evans, challenged for bragging rights and Mister Muddiest Plus Fours as the birdies dropped and the heavens opened. At one stage players found themselves wrapped in low-lying cloud, conditions about as myopic as Arsene Wenger in a Turkish Sauna.

Despite the cruel weather, both the singles and the team competitions were fiercely contested. The top three individuals had to be separated on count-back by invigilator-in-chief Ash Head, Gary Martin running out the winner from Paul Herring (aka Captain Haddock), both finishing on a creditable 37 points. In the team contest, Rookmeister led his team to third place, close behind event organiser Barry Haffenden and the winning side skippered by Jeremy Watson.

Gary Martin poached Nearest the Pin with a late, late effort, from a clearly distraught Pip Parris. Jeremy Maynard closed out the trophy hunt with his longest drive on the devilishly long 14th. The post-match raffle, festooned with glittering prizes generously donated by local businesses, helped to raise a bumper haul of over £750 on the day, funds the Supporters Club will use to improve facilities at the Dripping Pan.

Thanks go to everyone who donated raffle prizes, including these fine sponsors:

Jim Leany
The Royal Oak, Lewes
Shanaz of Lewes
Coral Brighton & Hove Dog Stadium
Plumpton Race Course
Grounded At The Forge coffee lounge, Ringmer
Lewes Golf Club
Lewes FC

Thanks also to the team at Lewes Golf Club for their (much-needed!) warm hospitality and their seriously tasty tucker at the finish. 

PODIUMS

Individual competition 

Winner: Gary Martin – 37 points (on count-back)
Runner-up: Paul Herring – 37 points
Third: Darren Brown – 36 points

Teams (best 2 scores per hole)

Winners: Jeremy Watson, Mark Plumstead, Paul Herring, Mark Cardy – 83 points
Runners-up: Barry Haffenden, Jon Carroll, Jim Thompson, Gary Martin – 82 points
Third: Ash Head, Tim Gorringe, Tim Lovett, Duncan Innes – 80 points