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Name: Darren Burton
Age: 25
Handicap: 5
Caddy: Gary Vicarbs
Score: 33
Occupation: Green Keeper
Home club: North Foreland GC
History: 1st Time in the TT

Congratulations on your win as the TT Sussex Champion! How does it feel?
It’s a weird experience really, I had all my family with me for support. I knew I was playing well prior to the event, I was aiming to finish in the top 10. I knew I could qualify. I played to my strengths. The course was well suited for me.

I knew I could qualify. I played to my strengths. The course was well suited for me.

What made you enter the TT?
I followed it on Sky Sports, I’m a big fan of it. I love the idea of it all. I was watching it one day and my wife asked me if I would like to have a go, she ended up buying my entry as a Christmas present.

What made you choose Goodwood?
The previous times I was watching the Trilby Tour I always fancied the London Club as I have worked on the course as a green keeper, I thought to myself I could have the advantage. Unfortunately it was not a chosen course in this year’s line-up. It was a last minute decision to go for Goodwood mainly as it was the closest to me.

Tell us about your day. How did you feel you played?
I felt I played good to be honest. My ball striking has never been that good prior to the event and I felt that myself and my caddy Gary had mapped out the course well, we knew were the problems were. We knew that you had to be on the fairway, it didn’t necessarily matter if you were a little bit further back because it was always about being in a good position to attack the greens.

My fairway to green was spot on. I think I only missed two greens, and they were due to bad bounces. I was all the way round solid, but however I did get nervous as I had an early tee time, once I finished up I was second on the scoreboard after my round, and had a 4 hour wait whilst the rest of the scores came in.

Have you played in many other Amateur championships?
No not really, I’ve played in a few clubs championship at my golf course but that is about it.

How did you cope with the cameras on the day?
I LOVED IT! I absolutely loved it, I felt right at home. I said to Gary that I could get used to this!

Did you ever think you would get this far?

My goal was top ten, anything after that was a bonus. Once I got to the playoff I knew I stood a chance.

Once I got to the playoff I knew I stood a chance.

What are your thoughts on the final?
Well this is the first time I have played an amateur tournament outside of my golf course. It’s given me a lot of confidence and belief in my own performance. If I get in the get in the top four I will be honest and say look out for me because I intend to win it!

Tell me about your background.
My granddad taught me how to play golf when I was young. Apart from that I am self-taught and never had a professional lesson until last week. Even then it wasn’t to look at my swing or anything, it was more of a friend giving me a prep talk, he said just think about what you want to achieve and that he knew I could do it.  I have always been surrounded by golf.

How did you find the clothing?
I love it! I like the traditional clothing and look. 

What has been your greatest achievement so far?
This is huge; this is one of the biggest things I have achieved, especially in golf. Being a Green Keeper I have been fortunate enough to work at a European opening and the BMW championships. This is defiantly my biggest achievement.

This is huge; this is one of the biggest things I have achieved, especiallly in golf.

Describe yourself in a sentence.
Bold, confident and one to look out for!

What's your motto in life?
To be the best you have to beat the best. I was in the play-off with Chris Dyson who was last year’s national champion and I came out on top.

Who is your golf hero?
One of the person who I follow is Ian Poulter, but as a golfing hero it has to be Seve Ballesteros. His career and his personality on the tour is something I would aspire to. 

Last words for William Hunt?
Just a big thank you very much. Tell him “there will be a big smile on my face all the way round at the final”. He will know what I mean.

To view the full results of the day click here