Alton Golf Club have appointed Darren Miller to their greens staff team.

Darren has been associated with Alton Golf Club almost all his life.

A well-respected couple of long-term members recalled with affection their first introduction to a young Darren that was reminiscent of the PG Wodehouse golf story which describes “a scruffy little oik who would jump out of the bushes from nowhere and try to sell you your golf ball back before you had even lost it”.

Darren is also recognised as one of Alton’s finest and highly-respected low handicap golfers, having won the club championship five times across three decades – 1987, 1990, 1995, 1999 and 2005.

For the past 12 or so years Darren has been plying his trade at Farnham Sands Golf Club – expanding his knowledge and craft as a greenkeeper – but he has decided now is the time to join the greens staff at Alton.

Darren was successful in his application, having shone in both interview stages and delivered some excellent visions for the future.

He will start working at Alton later this month.

This will re-establish a successful partnership with fellow greenkeeper Fred Deamen, and the club’s committee expect there will be a noticeable improvement in the overall presentation of the course through the coming season.