British Open Pitch & Putt

Eight-time British Pitch and Putt champion John Deeble is delighted to be making history by staging the inaugural British Open Pitch and Putt tournament in Dagenham.

“We have wanted to do this for a few years but it’s taken a bit of time to get the course ready,” Deeble, a member and former captain of Dagenham Pitch and Putt Club. “We didn’t want everyone coming over and for it not to be up to scratch.

“Without a doubt this is going to be the most exciting thing to have ever happened here.

For the last 12 or 13 years we’ve gone all over Europe with the sport we love so it makes us really proud that people are now coming to us.

“The whole year has centered around it and if it goes well, we’ll be looking to make it an annual thing.”

The tournament takes place from August 19 to 21, and registration is still open, if you fancy chancing your arm.

The course will also be open to spectators wanting to watch the inaugural event.

“This is a big event for Dagenham and a lot of people are going to benefit,” Deeble added.

“The boys coming over like their golf, but they also like to socialise. It’s going to be great for the area.”

John together with his dad Steve, who runs the course, and brother Jamie, 38, became the first all-family trio to represent Great Britain when they played in the World Pitch and Putt Cup in Andorra earlier this month, having ranked as the top three players in the country.

“Most of our members play golf as well – but they’re completely different. They do have links and playing pitch and putt can really help your short game when you’re playing golf. But you use a different swing than a golf swing.

“A lot of golfers can hit the ball a long way but they get within 100 yards of the green and get a bit flustered – if you play pitch and putt you know what you’re doing in those situations.”

Deeble added: “The camaraderie in pitch and putt is a lot better. There’s no snobbery in pitch and putt whatsoever but that still exists in golf to some extent.”

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