Crazy golf champ aims to make history with sixth win

Five-time World Crazy Golf champion Marc Chapman is hoping to make history and become the first player to win six titles.

Nicknamed "The Force", Chapman is also attempting to win the world title three years in a row when he competes at Hastings on Friday.

"About 200 people from around the world compete for the coveted title," said Chapman, from Canterbury, Kent. "The event attracts lots of spectators."

"While there is an advantage of knowing the course in Hastings well, ultimately it comes down to having solid technical skills and maintaining a strong mental game on the day."

Chapman said it took him 10 years of practising and experience to win his first world title.

"It's all about being methodical, learning the courses and being able to putt consistently," he added.

Chapman, a former fencing coach, said he was "privileged" to represent Great Britain in mini golf tournaments.

Mini golf is a scaled-down version of golf which focuses on putting, while crazy golf features courses with unconventional obstacles - such as moving windmills.

The Crazy Golf World Championships is due to take place at Hastings Adventure Golf from Friday to Sunday.

Chapman is one of the most decorated mini golfers, having won all three UK Major Championships, known as The Triple Crown.

He also won the 2011 Masters and British Open before retiring from competing on the British Tour in 2012.

The Force made a return and won his first World Crazy Golf Championship in 2018, defended the title in 2019 and then won in 2021, 2024 and 2025.

Film-maker Hansel Rodrigues decided to make a documentary about Chapman called King Putt, after being "charmed" by the world of crazy golf.

The director said the documentary aimed to "celebrate" crazy golf and to capture the sport as both "fun and intense".

"From the outside, it seems comical or insignificant, but you become drawn by the players' passion and dedication," he adds.

"Marc says outlandish things, comparing himself to sporting icons, but we found him to be quietly inspirational."

Rodrigues, who grew up in Epsom, Surrey, said: "I think interest in Crazy Golf is growing and I believe Marc is one of the people who helped inspire interest.

"Sports needs larger than life people to draw interest, for example Novak Djokovic and Max Verstappen."

King Putt won Best Documentary at the Hastings Rocks International Film Festival and was screened across the country.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.