Golfers putt their their wits against superheroes (From The Argus)

Golfers putt their their wits against superheroes

6:05pm Sunday 28th October 2007 in Search By Rachel Pegg

A sitting champion was knocked off his perch at one of the world's wackiest sporting tournaments.

For the first time since the World Crazy Golf Championships started four years ago, cup holder Tim Davies failed to live up to his "Ace Man" nickname.

The lively contest was hosted by the British Miniature Golf Association on Hastings seafront on Saturday and Sunday. Competitors came from as far away as Finland and the Czech Republic to vie for the £1,000 top prize and the glorious winning title.

A fair day on Saturday was followed by rain and wind today but, undeterred, enthusiasts stayed on the course to fight their corner until the bitter end.

More than 100 entrants were whittled down to 18 for the final stage today. One was 13-year-old Czech Olivia Prokopova, the youngest competitor. But to the surprise of spectators this year Olivia, who beat dozens of adult semi professionals to come second in 2005 and third in 2003, finished down the table at 16th.

Mr Davies, 47, from Hastings, fared only slightly better by coming in at number 11. It was a real shock for Mr Davies who is the most successful British crazy golfer ever, with 28 British Minigolf Association tour wins and nine British course records.

The title was snatched from the local champion by Chris Harding, 44, from Birmingham who - in the words of course manager David Hartley - "more or less wiped the floor" by finishing seven points clear of everybody else and 13 points ahead of Mr Davies.

Mr Hartley said: "It was a complete upset. It definitely wasn't Tim's year."

Second place and £750 went to Andy Exall from Tunbridge Wells, who always enters along with his three brothers Philip, Trevor and Denis.

Third with £500 was Brad Shepherd from London and fourth and fifth were Hastings husband-and-wife Bill and Ruth Bullin.

Hopes had ridden high for the Bullins' 14-year-old son Rocky but he ended up 19th on the table, just missing out on a place in the final.

By the end of the tournament each finalist had completed six rounds, or 108 holes, navigating past obstacles such as a windmill, a helter skelter, a loop and a water hazard.

Mr Hartley said: "It was a bit fraught. They were battling against the wind and the rain."

The World Crazy Golf Championships started in 2003.

This year there were two celebrity competitors. Former athlete Colin Jackson and retired cricketer Phil Tufnell took part in the first round for a documentary they are making in which they try their hands at unusual sports.

The secret of a good crazy golfer, said Mr Hartley, is consistency. He said: "You can have a bad round but you can still recover. Equally you can't just have a flash in the pan. It is quite a tense atmosphere. It is very hushed as they play round."

Did you take part in the championship? Or to you play another wacky sport? Tell us below.