The Clearview Windows Short Course Championship looks like becoming a permanent fixture at the Burgess Hill Golf Centre.

From a field of 60 pros, Paul Lyons (Paxhill Park) emerged as winner of the £1,000 prize after two days coming to terms with unfamiliar conditions.

He led from first to last, scoring a five under-par 49 on the opening day and then holding off a determined challenge from Piltdown's Jason Partridge. This went to the last hole where Lyons sank an 8ft clinching putt for a 36-hole total of 100 and eight under-par.

The tricky lay-out, designed by Donald Steel and extending to 1,280 yards, met with approval from a good class entry.

Mark Collins, the Centre director, said: "Those who hadn't played the course before didn't know what to expect. Unfortunately, when most people hear the description "par-three course" they expect something of the pitch 'n putt seaside variety.

"But after they'd played nine holes they couldn't believe how good it was. All said it is one of the best short courses they'd ever played."

This was the second year of the championship and with such good prize money on offer it is bound to stay on the fixture list.

Lyons said: "I think it is a super course and the sort of facility that a lot of us are envious of. Despite all the rain on the last afternoon the greens were quite superb."

Just in case the longest hole of 193 yards was against the wind, Lyons' bag included everything from a three iron down. But the wind changed and he only needed a six iron instead of reaching for his three.

Collins said: "Looking at the scores for the first day it showed that the course was a huge test even for some of the best pros. It is great for your short game and the course punishes you if you aren't accurate. Even then the greens are so difficult that your putting has to be very good. It's great fun and a great test of golf."

During the last afternoon, thunderstorms and lightning caused an hour's delay and then it was down to Lyons and Partridge to fight it out with the Piltdown man finishing two strokes behind the winner.

Leading scores: 100: Paul Lyons (Paxhill Park) 49, 51. 102: Jason Partridge (Piltdown) 51, 51. 104: Craig Cowper (Jack Nicklaus) 51, 53. 106: Hogan Stott (Laleham) 53, 53; Robert Humphrey (Hoebridge) 52, 54. 107: Russell Tate (East Horton) 53, 54; Simon Mantell (Lingfield Park) 52, 55.

Popular curtain-raiser to the championship was provided by 52 juniors in a nine-hole medal for ages between seven and 16.

Collins said: "Some of the overall scores were better than most adults who play the course.

"The mums and dads said it had to be a must for every year."

Leading scores (7-10): 35: Howard Burt (Woodingdean). 43: Corey Crocker (Heathfield). 46: Ian Light (Burgess Hill). Nearest pin at 8th: Matthew Little (Burgess Hill).

(11-13): 36: Andrew Francis (Burgess Hill). 37: Simon Worsley (Patcham). 38: Drew Bailey (West Dean); Chris Gorringe (Hassocks).

Nearest pin at 8th: Andrew Francis (Burgess Hill).

(14-16): 30: Michael Stoner (Burgess Hill). 32: Jack Edmonds (Haywards Heath). 34: Matthew Gorringe (Hassocks).

Nearest pin at 8th: Jack Edmonds (Haywards Heath).

On the Saturday, 34 teams competed in an 18-hole Texas Scramble.

Results: Mark and Mick Hale (Burgess Hill) 53 on countback from Rod Buckman (Uckfield) and Rodger Blunden (Newick); 3 Gary Hall and David Murray (Haywards Heath) 55.

Nearest pin winners: Rod Buckman (Uckfield), Darren Podger (Ardingly), Colin Dure (Haywards Heath), John Conway (Hassocks), Tony Harman (Lancing).