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see also: Walton Heath Trophy, Walton Heath Golf Club
A growing field of top UK and international players will converge on one of England’s most historic venues
Played over Herbert Fowler’s celebrated Old and New Courses, the Walton Heath Trophy has become one of the standout events of the amateur summer calendar. Formerly known as the South of England Open Amateur Championship until 2019, the tournament is a World Amateur Golf Ranking-approved 72-hole stroke play event that continues to gain momentum with elite players from across the UK and beyond.
What makes the championship especially notable is its format. Men and women compete side by side over four rounds, with players chasing the Michael Lunt Salver in the men’s division and the Jill Thornhill Rose in the women’s division. It is a rare structure in elite amateur golf and one that reflects Walton Heath’s commitment to building a modern and inclusive championship while preserving the traditions of one of the country’s most respected clubs.
The first 36 holes will be contested across both the New and Old Courses on Tuesday, July 21 and Wednesday, July 22, with each competitor playing one round on each layout. After 36 holes, the lowest 40 scores and ties in the men’s field and the lowest 20 scores and ties in the women’s field will advance to the final day. Those players will then return Thursday, July 23 for 36 more holes, beginning on the New Course in the morning and concluding on the Old Course in the afternoon.
Last year’s championship produced two impressive winners. Lewy Hayward of Marlborough captured the Michael Lunt Salver with rounds of 66, 69, 68 and 71 for a 14-under-par total. Charlotte Brook of England claimed the Jill Thornhill Rose after posting rounds of 72, 70, 71 and 74 to finish at 9-under par.
The tournament has increasingly been described by players as “a pro event under the banner of amateur golf,” a nod to both the quality of the setup and the level of competition. Its mid-July spot on the calendar also makes it an appealing destination for U.S. college players returning home for the summer in search of WAGR points and high-level tournament conditions. While the event overlaps with the under-18 Carris Trophy, Walton Heath also presents a strong option for players who miss out on that field.
The Michael Lunt Salver honors one of the most decorated amateurs in British golf history. Lunt won Eisenhower Trophy gold with Great Britain & Ireland in 1964, played on four Walker Cup teams, captured the British Amateur, and later served as Captain of The R&A in 2006. Past winners of the men’s title include Ross McGowan, Gary Wolstenholme, and 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett.
The women’s championship was introduced in 2024 following Walton Heath’s successful hosting of the AIG Women’s Open in 2023. The Jill Thornhill Rose is named for another towering figure in the amateur game. Thornhill, a former British Amateur champion and three-time Curtis Cup player, won the Smyth Salver in 1985 in the championship now known as the AIG Women’s Open. She now serves as Walton Heath President and remains closely involved with the tournament.
“We are very proud to be driving forward with our women’s event following its launch in 2024,” said Nick Moran, Managing Director at Walton Heath Golf Club. “Jill Thornhill is one of the most respected names in UK amateur golf and we are so excited for the next chapter as the club looks to continue its support of the women’s game.”
Moran added: “The Walton Heath Trophy goes from strength to strength and is one of the highlights of the season. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone for what promises to be another engrossing tournament.”
Nick Battinson, Tournament Director and past Club Captain, said the event’s history and venue continue to set it apart.
“The Walton Heath Trophy has always delivered a top-class field with a number of high-profile winners,” Battinson said. “It will be a privilege to watch many of the game’s top amateur players attempt to follow in the footsteps of the many great champions who have made their mark here.”
He added: “It is particularly fascinating to see how the competitors tackle the New and Old Courses, Herbert Fowler masterpieces that have provided a wonderful test for both amateur and professional players for over a hundred years.”
Walton Heath’s championship pedigree is difficult to match. The Surrey club established one of the country’s leading match play tournaments, hosted the European Open throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and staged the 1981 Ryder Cup. More recently, the DP World Tour returned to the club in 2018 for the British Masters hosted by Justin Rose, with Eddie Pepperell emerging as the winner.
The venue has also hosted three Women’s Amateur Championships and welcomed the AIG Women’s Open in 2023, when Lilia Vu produced a commanding final-round performance to defeat home favorite Charley Hull. Walton Heath is equally well known as a regular site for U.S. Open Final Qualifying. In 2005, Michael Campbell secured his place in the championship field there before famously going on to win the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. This year’s Final Qualifying at Walton Heath is scheduled for Monday, May 18.
Founded in 1903, Walton Heath has long been one of England’s most significant championship venues. Its first professional, James Braid, won five Open Championships and served the club for more than 45 years, helping shape the identity of a club that remains deeply woven into the fabric of British golf.
With registration now open, the Walton Heath Trophy is once again positioned to attract one of the strongest amateur fields of the summer. Entry fees are set at £140 for men and £110 for women, with the women’s pricing intentionally structured to encourage participation and strengthen the depth of field.
As the event continues to grow, the Walton Heath Trophy is proving that a championship can honor history while still evolving with the modern game. This July, another strong group of amateurs will have the chance to test themselves on two of England’s finest courses and add their names to a growing championship legacy.
The Walton Heath Trophy will return July 21-23, as one of the United Kingdom’s premier amateur championships welcomes another strong field to the famed Surrey club.
The Walton Heath Trophy each year attracts a top- class field of amateur golfers from across the world. The 72 hole stroke play event takes place over both the Old and New courses at the famed Walton Heath Golf Club in Tadworth, Surrey and consists o...
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