English Boys County Champions 2026
The Boys qualified at Brancepeth Castle GC and so on to the final played at Goswick Links GC near Berwick upon Tweed where we were warmly received and looked after by the members and staff. The course is a true links with views of the Northumberland coastline where you could see Lindisfarne and Bamburgh Castle.
Our challengers were Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and Somerset in the final to be played as a round robin over three days. The course was dry and running with the greens in excellent condition. The boys had prepared well under the guidance of Craig Fricker our lead boys’ coach. Team Yorkshire spirit was high, and they had worked hard during the day and relaxed during the evening.
They received video messages from Dan Bradbury, Sam Bairstow, Ben Schmidt, Josh Berry and the newly crowned US Amateur Champion, Jack Whaley which helped with their motivation to emulate their peers.
The boys had a reasonably easy start against Somerset with the foursomes finishing at 3-0 so only 2 points required in the afternoon to secure victory. The boys were off to a cracking start in the afternoon and all played well to finish with a convincing 5-1 in the singles to take the first match 8-1.
On our second day we were up against Nottinghamshire, another good side and went into lunch 3-0 up. The afternoon saw us lose a couple of the singles to finish the match 7-2 winners.
A good night’s rest on Wednesday for boys and off we went against our last team of Hampshire who had a good team. Into lunch with a 2–1 so all to do in the afternoon to become champions which is exactly what they did with a 3-3 score in the singles to take the title 5-4.
Regarding the three days play I will refer you to the England Golf report below:
It’s two years since the Boys were last crowned English County Champions and I have to say that I am so proud of their achievement as they have conducted themselves in true Yorkshire fashion providing us with some spectacular golf.
My thanks must not only go to the Boys, but to Craig who guided them well throughout the week and was all over the course when needed.
Congratulations To Team Yorkshire – English Boys County Champions 2026.
Philip
