World Crazy Golf champion wins fourth title

Marc Chapman secured first place and £1,250 in prize money with a score of 217

A fencing instructor has won his fourth World Crazy Golf Championship title at an event in East Sussex.

Marc Chapman, who has represented Great Britain in crazy golf, took first place and a £1,250 prize with a score of 217 at the event in Hastings.

More than 90 players from nine countries, including Romania, the US, Australia, and Hungary, took part in the main competition.

Mr Chapman, 38, from Canterbury, Kent, said he was "very proud, very privileged" and "somewhat surprised".

The competition, which was in its 21st year, took place at Hastings Adventure Miniature Golf on Friday and Sunday.

Mr Chapman, who won the world title in 2018, 2019, and in 2021 when it returned following the pandemic, said the changing conditions on the seafront was this biggest obstacle because he was "completely exposed to the elements".

He said the secret to his success was to “let the course come to you rather than go chasing the course”.

More than 90 players from nine countries took part in the main competition

Mr Chapman took up the sport in 2009 after seeing a newspaper report about the unique world championships in the UK.

"Every shot has that sort of winning pressure when you stand over it, because the expectation is to get an ace, to get it in in one," he said.

"It's a truly global game and I'm proud to be part of that history and be an ambassador for the sport.

"[I] encourage everyone to perhaps sometimes take it a little bit more seriously than just for that ice cream!"

Mr Chapman is planning to defend his title in 2025.