Steve Graham retained the County Seniors Championship with a level par round of 72 to win by 3 shots in strong winds at East Sussex National. The County have reduced their Championships to 1 round only because of the Covid restrictions, so there is little margin for error in these one round shoot-outs, which could be argued is possibly not the fairest way to resolve major County events.

East Sussex National was represented by 6 players, with 5 managing to finish in the top 10.

Graham managed to get to -3 with birdies at 2, 5 & 7, but clumsy 3-putts on 16 & 18 denied an under par finish in extremely difficult conditions.

Doug Park, new ESN member & county player was runner-up for the second year running, and for much of the day had a hand on the trophy, matching Graham's early move and was -2 through 6 holes, but a run of bogeys from the 12th ruined his chances.

Paul Plant, former Champion finished joint 3rd and like Park was going along fine with early birdies, but dropped shots on 12,13 & 14 put him out of the running.

Another former Champion and much fancied home player, Martin Galway got off to a poor start, but battled back bravely only to drop shots at 14 & 15 to fade out of contention.

There was also a good showing from Nigel Phillips who finished 7th playing off 6 handicap.

The East course benefited from the recent rains and was playing a little longer with the softer fairways and a 2/3 club wind on occasions. The greens staff did an amazing job to get the course in such good shape following the storm on the eve of the event.

Full report and scores on county website


full list of results