Royal Ashdown Old 2025

A Golden Day on the Old Course at Royal Ashdown Forest

There are golf days—and then there are golf days like this.

Set against the majestic backdrop of East Sussex’s storied heathland, the MGPT arrived at Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club to take on its legendary Old Course. A place where time stands still and the spirit of traditional golf lives and breathes, Royal Ashdown is no ordinary venue. Founded in 1888, steeped in history, and granted Royal status in 1893, the club continues to enchant golfers with its unspoiled natural beauty and enduring challenge.

The Setting: Pure Golf, Untouched by Time

Unlike many modern courses, the Old Course remains a triumph of minimal intervention. No bunkers were needed here—just the humps, hollows, heather, and wandering streams laid down by nature itself. The course weaves seamlessly through the Ashdown Forest, a place of literary legend and inspiration for A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. Today, however, it was the GPT members—not Pooh and Piglet—who wandered the woods in search of birdies.

As always, David and his welcoming team were on hand to offer warm hospitality in the beautifully traditional clubhouse, where the echoes of over 130 years of golf still resonate. It’s easy to see why the Old Course is consistently ranked among the UK’s top inland tracks.

The Conditions: Sunshine, Wind, and a True Test

The forecast promised sun—and delivered—but a brisk wind swept across the fairways to remind everyone just how cunning this course can be. Still, there was some outstanding golf on display, with crisp drives, clutch putts, and more than a few tactical masterclasses.

The Results: Triumphs on a Testing Track

Congratulations to all our prize winners from the day, who rose to the occasion on one of golf’s most natural stages:

Top Placings – Vouchers Well Earned

1st (£200 MGPT Voucher): Stephanie Bristow & Alan Vickery

2nd (£175 MGPT Voucher): Owen Williams & Archie Christophers

3rd (£150 MGPT Voucher): Grant Popham & Dan Popham

4th (£125 MGPT Voucher): John Depasquale & Nick Athanas

5th (£100 MGPT Voucher): Duncan Davidson & Shane Fletcher

6th (£75 MGPT Voucher): Hayden Priscott & Greg Priscott

7th (£50 MGPT Voucher): Jeremy Griffiths & Harry Anthony

8th (£25 MGPT Voucher): Ian Hayes & Paul Randall

Gross Winners – Going Low the Hard Way

1st Gross (£100): Alex Pike & Rob Lowe

2nd Gross (£75): Jon Phillmore & Dan Cox

3rd Gross (£50): Mick Dennis & Roy Bayliss

4th Gross (£25): Anthony Oram & Scott Warman

Special Awards – Skill and Style

Men’s Longest Drive: Harrison Ashby (£50)

Ladies’ Longest Drive: Xin Zhang (£50)

Nearest The Pin: Tom Belcham (£50)

Best Dressed: Nicholas David Pellatt (£25)

Four-Hole Challenge – Short but Sweet

1st Place (£100): Jack Norwood & James Stringer

2nd Place (£50): Adam Shaw & Daniel Wyatt

Golfshake Prize: Matt Goh & James Goh (£50)

Leaderboard can be found here: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11126088472517987160

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