HE’S only been here five minutes, but new recruit Ian Appleyard has already been crowned the inaugural Press Sports Desk FootGolf champion.

Taking on myself and rugby league writer Peter Martini, whose requests for an oval ball were rejected, Appleyard carded a 13-over par 47 over nine holes to win our three-man contest at Skelton Park’s challenging course.

Fitting in a round before a day’s work, there were guffaws aplenty as The Press’ latest addition smacked a shot straight at a tree from the rough on the first hole, whilst Anglo-Italian Martini’s attempt at a Pirlo-esque chip that bounced off the top of a bunker and rolled back behind him was the source of further hilarity.

Sadly, though, the last laugh was on me as, after making the green in two on the course’s shortest hole - the 84-yard fourth – I took NINE more shots after repeatedly rolling on and off the elevated green.

A true card wrecker although, on consulting the rules later, we discovered that eight was the maximum score for any hole – if you haven’t sunk the ball by then, you simply pick it up, hang your head in shame and head for the next tee.

That would have still placed me two shots behind the steady Appleyard – who never exceeded a six during his round - although, on further analysis of the scorecard, I’m claiming the Matchplay title.

We will also be back for a rematch, having enjoyed our first taste of a sport that is growing all the time.

Skelton Park, situated on Shipton Road, has been open as a FootGolf-only course for more than a year, with the clubhouse, complete with a bar and two widescreen televisions, recently refurbished.

It previously operated as a small, public nine-hole golf course and, on its transformation, UK FootGolf’s regional development chief Matt Riches said: “The course had closed down and was overgrown, so needed a bit of TLC to get it in a fit enough state to be a FootGolf course.

“We gave it a bit of a cut back and reshaped the fairways because you can make two holes from one on a golf course. There are also buzzards and deer on the course, so it’s a nice setting and it’s also testing.

“We had a national event here last year and a lot of the top players found it a challenge.”

After a quick glance at my score, he also added: ”Putting is a key part of the game and is where a lot of shots can be won or lost.”

Time considerations, accessibility and cost also make FootGolf an attractive alternative to its two derivative sports, with Riches pointing out: “It’s very inclusive and open to all ages and abilities.

“If you can kick a ball, you can enjoy a round of FootGolf. You don’t need any expensive equipment – just a pair of trainers and the course will provide the balls.

“A lot of families play together and it’s easier to do that than in golf or football. A round of golf can also take you half a day, but you can complete 18 holes of FootGolf together in an hour and a half and, whilst it’s nicer when the sun is shining, people also go out in all weathers.

“You tend to get put off by rain with golf, but we play football in all weathers and FootGolf is the same.”

There are now close to 200 FootGolf courses in the UK, where the sport was introduced four years ago and has soared in popularity over the last two.

Former professionals are beginning to take an interest too, with Paul Scholes recently opening a new course in Oldham and Paulo Di Canio – a regular on the Italian Tour – registered to play in August’s UK Open in Cambridge.

All the events are open to anybody, though, with £30,000 worth of prize money now available on the UK circuit, including £6,000 for the UK Open winner.

Each competition also carries qualifying points for the Jansen Cup team, which will see a European side take on the US in Palm Springs during a Ryder Cup-style tournament next year.

Jansen is Dutch and accredited with founding the sport, while the UK also came fourth in the World Cup, held in Argentina.

With the sport in its infancy, however, there are opportunities to make an impression in a manner that might seem near impossible to replicate in golf or football.

“We’re not professional and the tournaments are open to anybody,” Riches reasoned. “It’s a brand-new sport and we haven’t found a star yet, because we’re all learning the game as we go along.”

Skelton Park is open from morning to dusk seven days a week.

The cost is £7 adults and £5 under-16s for nine holes or £10 and £8 respectively for 18.

A round can be booked and details of other courses found at http://www.ukfootgolf.com/