New winner named at World Crazy Golf Championship

A new champion has been crowned at the World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings over the weekend.

Out of 250 participants, Rocky Bullin, from Gloucester, came in first after getting a hole-in-one in the final round, putting him ahead of five-time World Crazy Golf champion Marc Chapman by one shot.

Simon Tompkins, the tournament organiser from Hastings Adventure Golf, said it was nice to have a different champion.

"I think Marc will definitely be back next year because I think he's definitely got the sixth in him, but this year it's Rocky's year," Tompkins said.

Chapman, from Canterbury, had been hoping to make history and become the first player to win six titles at the event over 5-7 June.

Nicknamed "The Force", he also attempted to win the world title three years in a row when he competed this year.

In the final round, which Tompkins described as "very close", Chapman, Bullin and the third finalist, David Woodcock, played under "crazy crazy rules" - this is the only round in the competition where all three players' balls are in play simultaneously.

In the prior six rounds, one player plays until the ball is in the hole, then it is the next player's turn.

"This exciting round brings plenty of jeopardy and excitement as players can be blocked by another ball," Tompkins said, as players can also knock other balls out of the way with their own ball.

US professional golfer Frank Bisesi said the UK is a "step above" when it comes to eccentric course design.

"The obstacles that move on some of the lanes - that's what makes it crazy," Bisesi said.

"We don't have any mini golf courses that have any obstacles that actually require timing, but here two of the lanes - number five is the iconic window hole, and number eight is the water mill - those require you to have precise timing as well."

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.