Where in the UK on a chilly December morning with the rain bucketing down, would you find nearly 20 professional golfers playing for a few quid?

The answer this week was Piltdown where the first of the Sussex PGU Winter Series kicked-off and, despite the conditions, every man jack enjoyed himself.

The Series consists of three separate meetings with a total prize fund of £1,350, most of it being anonymously donated. But, typical of the Piltdown club and The Triangle, the artisan section, each contributed £100.

And it was Tim Spence of Battle, the reigning Sussex Open champion, who took the £400 cheque for a one over-par 69.

This was an exceptionally good score in the conditions. Six weeks ago when Spence competed in the SPGU Hilary Crowe Pairs Matchplay, Piltdown was playing short. With the rain, however, it was a completely different scenario.

"The course played really, really long," said Tim.

"Early in October I was hitting irons and four woods off the tees. This week it was driver, driver, driver. I was three over after five but then birdied six, nine and 13 and was back to level only to bogey 17. I hit an iron for my second shot there and couldn't get up but I think everybody else failed to make the green and they were using woods.

"I just missed a birdie on the last and was hitting a four iron. In the Matchplay we were all using six and seven irons so really Piltdown, despite its low par, was difficult although the greens and course was in excellent condition."

Calum Callan had returned to work at Cottesmore with 71 before Tim came in with his winning card.

Keith Macdonald, who has done so well in his second season on the European Seniors Tour, cried-off at the last minute with a back spasm and Paul Lyons, another useful contender, has had a cartilage removed and is likely to be out for three months.

Cliff Pluck, the SPGU secretary, was delighted at the turn-out.

"Originally the field was 20 players but then a couple couldn't make it but this was good support on a dreadful morning for a competition that we introduced ourselves into the fixture list. The South Region tried a similar format last year and it failed for lack of support.

"That isn't going to happen with us. The next meeting is at Cowdray Park on January 29 and the third goes to Royal Eastbourne on February 13.

"When we look at it and make a judgement I think it is likely that we will have four or five meetings next year. All the players said they enjoyed it and took the opportunity to play a competitive round when things are normally pretty quiet."

The SPGU overseas pro-am on January 12-19 is again over-subscribed with a maximum 27 teams squeezed in for the trip to Portugal. The fixture is in its 23rd year.

Leading scores: 69 Tim Spence (Battle). 71 Calum Callan (Cottesmore). 72 Charlie Giddins (Hastings); Nick Scott (Effingham Park). 73 Neil Georges (ESN); Lee Morris (Horsham Golf & Fitness); Gordon Murray (Holtye); Alan Tyson (Horam Park). 74 Tom Foreman (Willingdon); Jamie Harris (The Nevill); Darren Cook (West Hove).