Date: 29 Mar 2026
Venue: West Sussex Golf Club
Time/Result: Won 11 - 5
Match Manager: William Forster
Umpire:
Scorer:
Golfing Society
Match v West Sussex Golf Club
at West Sussex Golf Club on 29th March 2026
Sussex Martlets Golfing Society Team
- William Forster (Match Manager) – HCP = 3.1
- Robert Forster – HCP = 9.4 (AM ONLY)
- Stuart Ritchie – HCP = 17
- Dan Jackson – HCP = 7
- Greg West – HCP = 21.8 (PM ONLY)
- Martin Phillimore – HCP = 9
- Stewart Tippler – HCP = 9
- Bob Mitchell – HCP = 14
- David Tod – HCP = 10
- Mark Stephenson – HCP = 12
- Peter Ewen – HCP = 9
- Peter Scaramanga – HCP = 8
- Stuart Avern – HCP = 12.4
- Charlie Hartridge – HCP = 14
- Tim Sneath – HCP = 17
- Gary Barnett – HCP = 12.2
- Ben Burrows – HCP – 7 (PM ONLY)
AM
| Match | West Sussex Golf Club | Result | Sussex Martlets Golfing Society | Result |
| 1 | Martin Vanstone (11.3) & Chris Dyson (2.4) | 2up | William Forster (3.1) & Mark Stephenson (12) | |
| 2 | Steve Kirkham (7.9) & Roger Curtis (14.0) | 1up | Dan Jackson (7) & Stewart Tippler (9) | |
| 3 | Iain Roberston (16.2) & Phillip Payze (12.6) | Greg West (21.8) & Tim Sneath (17) | 2&1 | |
| 4 | Tony Bauckham (13.7) & Kevin Yates (11.2) | Stuart Ritchie (17) & Charlie Hartridge (14) | 3&2 | |
| 5 | Ian Much (14.0) & Rick Thomas (8.2) | Gary Barnett (12.2) & Peter Ewen (9) | 6&5 | |
| 6 | Peter Baxter (5.1) & Simon Baillie-Hamilton (14.9) | Peter Scaramanga (8) & David Tod (10) | 1up | |
| 7 | Mike Broughton (14.4) & Adrian Goldsmith (15.3) | 1/2 | Bob Mitchell (14) & Stuart Avern (12.4) | 1/2 |
| 8 | Mark Bowden (12.1) & Richard Chalmers (11.7) | Robert Forster (9.4) & Martin Phillimore (9) | 1up | |
| Match Result | 2 ½ | 5 ½ |
PM
| Match | West Sussex Golf Club | Result | Sussex Martlets Golfing Society | Result |
| 1 | Martin Vanstone (11.3) & Steve Kirkham (7.9) | William Forster (3.1) & Ben Burrows | 6&5 | |
| 2 | Roger Curtis (14.0) & Mark Bowden (12.1) | 4&3 | Charlie Hartridge (14) & Stuart Avern (12.4) | |
| 3 | Iain Robertson (16.2) & Chris Dyson (2.4) | 5&4 | Dan Jackson (7) & David Tod (10) | |
| 4 | Simon Baillie-Hamilton (14.9) & Ian Much (14.0) | Tim Sneath (17) & Peter Scaramanga (8) | 1up | |
| 5 | Rick Thomas (8.2) & Kevin Yates (11.2) | Martin Phillimore (9) & Mark Stephenson (12) | 1up | |
| 6 | Peter Baxter (5.1) & Richard Chalmers (11.7) | Peter Ewen (9) & Stewart Tippler (9) | 1up | |
| 7 | Mike Broughton (14.4) & Tony Bauckham (13.7) | Gary Barnett (12.2) & Bob Mitchell (14) | 2&1 | |
| 8 | Phillip Payze (12.6) & David Baxter (15.3) | 1/2 | Stuart Ritchie (17) & Greg West (21.8) | 1/2 |
| PM Result | 2 ½ | 5 ½ | ||
| AM Result | 2 ½ | 5 ½ | ||
| Match Result | 5 | 11 | ||
Match Report
| The annual match between the Sussex Martlets and West Sussex Golf Club once again delivered a day rich in heritage, friendly rivalry, and high‑quality golf. First played in the 1930s, this fixture remains one of the most enduring in the Martlets’ calendar and is contested for the Arthur Gilligan Putter, presented to the Society in 2005 to honour one of Sussex sport’s great figures.
Arthur E.R. Gilligan (1894–1976) was not only a towering figure in Sussex cricket but also a significant presence in Sussex golf. A long‑time member, Captain, and President of West Sussex Golf Club, and a founder member and supporter of the Sussex Martlets, his legacy is celebrated each year through this fixture. The Putter named in his honour symbolises the shared history and fellowship between the two sides. The morning session got off to a competitive start, with West Sussex taking early points in matches 1 and 2. But, much like a resilient middle order steadying an innings, the Martlets’ pairings from match 3 onward found their rhythm. A run of strong wins, highlighted by decisive performances from Stuart Ritchie & Charlie Hartridge, Gary Barnett & Peter Ewen, and Peter Scaramanga & David Tod, shifted the momentum firmly towards the Martlets. A halved match in the seventh and another tight win in the eighth saw the Martlets close out the session with a commanding lead. AM Result: West Sussex2½ – 5½ Sussex Martlets Players then retired to the clubhouse for a superb two‑course lunch, which as is so often the case at West Sussex convivial, relaxed, and of the highest standard. The West Sussex catering team excelled themselves, earning wide appreciation from both sides for the quality and warmth of their hospitality. During the interval, a brief but heartfelt presentation took place. William Forster presented his father Robert Forster with an engraved tankard in recognition of his outstanding service as Hon. Secretary, and in particular for his valuable work compiling and preserving the history of the Martlets. His contribution was warmly acknowledged by all present. Suitably revived from an excellent lunch, the teams returned to the course for the afternoon matches. The Martlets began in memorable style, thanks to a late piece of golfing heroism. With a vacancy arising at the last moment, Ben Burrows stepped in at the eleventh hour, arriving with nothing more than his trusty set of hickories to partner William Forster. Together they dispatched the West Sussex pair, recording a commanding 6&5 victory. It was a performance that set the tone for the afternoon. West Sussex responded strongly with victories in matches 2 and 3, but the Martlets’ lower order, perhaps inspired by the spirited “hickory heroics” at the top of the card, delivered a series of tight wins in matches 4, 5, and 6. Further contributions from Gary Barnett & Bob Mitchell, along with a halved match in the last game, ensured that the afternoon once again went the Martlets’ way. PM Result: West Sussex – 2½ – 5½ – Sussex Martlets Final Result West Sussex 5 – 11 Sussex Martlets A comprehensive and well‑earned victory. Hopefully a sign of a strong season for the golfing martlets in 2026. William Forster – Match Manager |
Robert Forster receiving a tankard from his son William in recognition of his services as Hon Secretary of the Sussex Martlets Golfing Society and for his recent work as the Society’s historian.
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