Ashley Rees, who has only been playing golf for five years, is the Sussex Colts champion.

Rees, 18, beat Dan Croucher at the first hole of a sudden death play-off at Lindfield to clinch the under-21s championship that carries plenty of prestige.

The 43-strong field were given a stern test by driving rain and high winds.

Ali Dalgliesh led at halfway with a four under par 66 and headed a cluster of players within four strokes, including Rees and Croucher.

But Dalgliesh required ten more strokes for his afternoon round which opened the way for the pack to fight it out.

One by one they dropped off, leaving Rees, an apprentice electrian from Brighton, and Croucher tied on 139.

In the play-off at the 18th, Croucher hit the fairway while Rees' drive veered left into semi-rough but he still had a good line to the green.

A seven iron put Croucher 12 yards from the pin but Rees' little eight iron easily cleared the trees and landed seven yards away.

Crucially, Croucher left his putt four yards short while Rees' effort just skirted the hole and Croucher's three-putts handed the title to Rees on a watery plate.

Rees has been a name to watch for some time.

As a 13-year-old, he was a promising footballer and had a trial at Charlton Athletic.

He started playing golf seriously at East Brighton and moved to East Sussex National two years ago.

How does he explain his conversion to golf?

He said: "I just got bored but I still play up front for the youth team at Worthing."

Croucher, 18, who was playing on his home course, attends Lindfield College and holds a membership at Singing Hills. He said: "I putted quite well in the morning and was four under through six and quite solid in the afternoon."

Sadly he mis-read the first play-off putt and said: "I thought the green was quicker than that."

Best shot of the day was Dalgliesh holing a long approach at the 416-yard 14th for an eagle which helped him card the lowest round of the championship.