James Andrews School of Golf

A TEAM from Sedlescombe Golf Club has finished eighth in a prestigious national junior competition entered by almost 5,000 players.

David Wicks jnr, 12, 15-year-old Daniel Birkes and Alexander Bryant, 16, achieved such a lofty placing in the National British Heart Foundation Championships at the world-famous DeVere Belfry.

"They've done very well," said David Wicks snr. "This is the first year they've decided to have a proper junior section and last year they didn't even have proper handicaps. But they've been brought through the Academy (The James Andrews School of Golf at Sedlescombe Golf Club) and their handicaps have come down a helluva lot."

Wicks jnr, who plays off a 13 handicap, shot 30 Stableford points and 14-handicapper Bryant carded 31 (the best two of three scores counted for scoring purposes) around the PGA National course at the home of the 2002 Ryder Cup.

"It was absolutely amazing just to see them standing on that tee," Wicks snr added. "It was a fantastic day and it was awe-inspiring for them."

Sedlescombe was one of just 16 teams from all over the country to qualify for the finals having come through the local qualifier at Lamberhurst Golf Club and the regional qualifier at Tudor Park Golf Club earlier in the season.

What's more, Wicks jnr and Michael Farrier-Twist are to represent East Sussex in an under-15s inter-county match at The Mid-Sussex Golf Club on October 26 and Sedlescombe have also reached the final of the Sussex County Foursomes where they will face Willingdon Golf Club. Sedlescombe are at home in the first leg on Sunday before travelling to Eastbourne for the return leg a week later.