Wayne Hawes' position at the top of the final Sussex Order of Merit table highlights a new wave of younger players coming through in county golf.

The 24-year-old fork lift driver, from Littlehampton, totalled 35 points to win by ten from Glyn Bateman of Royal Eastbourne.

Hawes was able to give the last event, the Cissbury Trophy, a miss knowing he already had enough points in the bag.

He would not have been available to play in the trophy at Worthing last Sunday because he was working at The Belfry where he enjoyed an inside look at the Ryder Cup.

He said: "I was particularly struck by Tiger Woods, of course, and David Toms.

"When I saw them all pitching I didn't think they were much better than me. But the whole event was awesome. The atmosphere and environment is totally different to the Open Championship. The excitement was tremendous.

"I learned a few basics. One was that you don't have to hit the ball hard to get distance, it is just timing. While I am fairly solid off the tee I need to work on my long game more.

"My short game is my strength and I think that is because I learned to play on a pitch 'n' putt course at Littlehampton."

For the past season and a half, Hawes has been a member of the Sussex team and last year was ninth in the Order of Merit.

At the begining, he was self-taught and it was only four years ago that he had his first lesson from Guy McQuitty, the Littlehampton pro.

He joined Littlehampton in 1993 and submitted cards of 82, 76 and 78 to get his first handicap of eight.

He said: "I don't want to be a fork lift driver all my life. At some stage I would like to get involved in the game, coaching maybe. And I feel I can get lower than scratch."

His latest achievement proves there is room at the top.

Joe Doherty, last year's OM winner, has cut down on his golf, Scott Nightingale has turned pro in company with other Worthing players and Martin Galway has retired gracefully from the Sussex picture.

1 Wayne Hawes (Littlehampton) 35 points; 2 Glyn Bateman (Royal Eastbourne) 25.5; 3 Matt Summerfield (Cottesmore) 23.5; 4 Alastair Malins (Haywards Heath) 19; 5 Stuart McGowan (Slinfold Park) 17; 6 Russell Cronin (West Hove) and Myles Averns (West Sussex) 14.5; 8 Nick Lloyd (Highwoods) 14; 9 Arwel Roberts (Worthing) 13.5; 10 Neil Conley (Mannings Heath) 13.