Carl Valentine wins the first outing of 2022 on a perfect January day for golf up on the South Downs at Lewes

We were blessed to be playing on a very good golfing day in January (light winds, dry and bright) at Lewes GC. A very good turnout of 19 including a hearty welcome to Joe Carroll joining the society for the first time and in the winter months as well showing some real commitment.
The overall results were as follows with a very good round of golf played by Carl Valentine who doesn’t normally come out of hibernation until the Spring weather is with us. The average stableford score for the day was 28.11 reflecting a tough course in places.
Individual Stableford
The main event played off full society handicaps had the following outcome: –
Place | Player | Score |
Winner | Carl Valentine | 38 |
Second | Mark Hughes | 34 |
Third | Rod Lunn | 33 |

Team Stapleford Trophy
The best two from the three stableford scores counted, with an adjustment made for the one fourball. The result was: –
Place | Player | Score |
Winners | James Gallifant, Alan Bigley, Nigel Burnett & Kelvin Paterson | 77 |
Second | Carl Valentine, Rob Montagu & Micky Mann | 75 (BNCB 39) |
Third | David Howroyd, Graham Meadows & Rod Lunn | 75 (BNCB 36) |
Nearest the Pin in two (3rd Hole 299 yards).
A cracking shot from Jerry Watkiss who went on to birdie the hole from inside two feet.
Nearest the Pin (12th Hole 180 yards).
Andrew Burnett beating Sandi Hoolahan only after a measure with a great shot on this tough par three with most not making it on to the dance floor !!
Birdies
Seven birdies were achieved on the day as follows:-
Player | Hole | Score | Yards & Stroke index |
Jerry Watkiss | 3rd | 3 on the par 4 | 299 yds SI 13 |
Mark Hughes | 7th | 4 on the par 5 | 495 yds SI 11 |
Alan Bigley | 10th | 3 on the par 4 | 303 yds SI 16 |
Joe Carroll | 11th | 3 on the par 4 | 341 yds SI 8 |
Alan Bigley | 16th | 4 on the par 5 | 466 yds SI 18 |
Micky Mann | 16th | 4 on the par 5 | 466 yds SI 18 |
Carl Valentine | 17th | 2 on the par 3 | 147 yds SI 12 |
Just a reminder that this year’s schedule is now on the website – please do mark up your diaries – noting some events are on a Thursday rather than a Friday this season. The next society day is at East Brighton on the 18thFebruary – details will be issued nearer the time.