'Wonderful' tribute says golfer Max

Max was born in Bexhill and went on to become one of only four Englishmen to win the British open in the last 50 years.

He now lives in Pulborough but returned to Bexhill this week to see the plaque in a suitable position: the putting green.

He is more than pleased with it: "It s marvellous, absolutely wonderful.

"From the age of 12 all I wanted to do was win the Open. I had no time for the game apart from winning the Open. After that, my golfing tournaments were a joy."

The story of his golfing career, also on the sign, did contain one error that Max was happy to put right. It stated that he gave time to cancer research, when in fact it was cancer relief.

"People don t realise that the two things are separate," he said.

But the error did not stop him smiling. When asked how he felt about the recognition, he said "I m very happy, thank you."

His number one fan, Tony Pont, has been pushing for praise for the golfing legend for years.

He said: "It is long overdue. I am all for the fact that Bexhill now recognises a local man s achievements. All towns should do this more to show what local people have achieved."

Tony had wanted the plaque to go in Bexhill s civic centre, the De La Warr Pavilion, but is pleased with the plaque as it stands on the putting green.