AT the age of 82, Ron Stone outscored allcomers in Alton Golf Club’s innovative nine-hole Open Eclectic Challenge.

The PGA is trying to encourage more people into golf and the nine-hole format, which enables a player to complete a round in well under two hours, is an attractive proposition.

The ‘Time for Nine’ promotion is certainly proving popular in both the USA and Great Britain and nine-hole competitions now qualify for handicap adjustments.

Alton GC was pleased to take on the challenge and the autumn Eclectic stableford competition offered prizes for adults (up to 55), seniors (55-75) and super vets (75 and above). To make the competition fair, each section played off their own tees, but the best score out of all the categories won the championship.

The winners were: adults – Rob Heath 20 pts; seniors – John Wilson 20 pts; super vets – Ron Stone 23 pts. And so Ron was the overall champion.

Organiser Tony Ransley said: “We will be running the event again next year and by popular demand we will be broadening the categories to include juniors and also split ladies and men to level the playing field. Visitors will be allowed two extra shots on their handicap.”