insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 14 - April 2016 | Page 56

DAYSOUT GOLF IN SUSSEX cont. Dale Hill www.dalehill.co.uk/golf // 01580 200112 Cricket led the way with T20. Now Speedgolf is setting the sporting pace in golf. Welcome to British Speedgolf. It’s faster, more athletic and a lot more fun than the regular game. The rules? You play a round in the lowest sum of shots as usual, but combine it with the time taken to run the course. In an Olympic year that features golf, what better time to combine running and golf? Pam Painter, co-founder of British Speedgolf, explains: “The challenge in Speedgolf is balancing your running pace with your capacity to swiftly and accurately play your shots to get the lowest combined score. Golf’s return to Rio’s Olympic programme after a 112-year absence makes it the perfect time to combine golf and running, but competitors will need to be quick to challenge the current British Open Speedgolf champion, Rob Hogan, who at the 2015 Championship shot a round of 77 in just 34 minutes and 4 seconds, giving him a Speedgolf score of 111:04.” The British Open Speedgolf Championships will take place on August 14 2016, returning to Dale Hill Golf Club, East Sussex, for a second year. Dale Hill Hotel and Golf Club general manager, Carl Rundgren, says: “Speedgolf is an exciting version of the great game and one that gets the heart racing, blood pumping, and takes the sport to new limits and away from its traditional, staid image.” Last year saw the introduction of a dedicated women’s category and British Speedgolf are keen to build on the women’s field at the 2016 event to ensure they get the same recognition as the men. 2016 will also offer a team competition for the first time, based on a simple alternate shot format. Speedgolf addresses pace of play head on, with a more athletic golf format; it attracts both golfers and runners, or those who seek a fresh fitness challenge. While it is more physically demanding than the traditional golf game, providing a good workout, it is also a lot of fun. Competitor registration is now open http://britishspeedgolf.co.uk/britishopen-speedgolf/, but places will be limited, so those interested are advised to register early to secure their place. West Sussex Golf Course www.westsussexgolf.co.uk // 01798 872563 Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club www.royalashdown.co.uk // 01342 822018 West Sussex is a private members club in Pulborough, and the course itself is world rated. It opened in 1931, and was designed by two outstanding golf architects, Guy Campbell, who also designed Princes and Killarney, and Cecil Hutchison, designer of Gleneagles and Turnberry. Thanks to these architectural artists, West Sussex – commonly known as Pulborough – is renowned as being one of the most natural and yet playable courses in the country. Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club has two great courses to enjoy, both of which have been named in the top 100 courses in England. Set in the heart of the Ashdown Forest, the club has been enjoyed for over 125 years, and the natural heather, hollows, and pools that are found around the course are at once both beautiful and challenging. To find out more email [email protected], or visit http://britishspeedgolf.co.uk/ The two courses are known as The Old Course and The West Course. Both have their own challenges; both are lovely to play on, and it’s difficult to choose between them, although the absence of bunkers on the Old Course might sway your decision. The pleasure of playing on an outstanding course is matched by the social and friendly atmosphere of the clubhouse, which caters for both members and visitors alike. 56