Top class field to contest Brabazon Trophy

A top class international field will head to Kent next week to contest the Brabazon Trophy at the London Golf Club.

England Golf’s flagship championship takes place from Wednesday to Saturday, June 22-25. The Brabazon is one of the must-win titles in the amateur men’s world, and past competitors and champions have gone on to become Major winners – Sandy Lyle and Charl Schwartzel – and Ryder Cup players. 

This year’s championship has attracted players from around the world and Germany, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Australia are just some of the countries which will be represented in the field of 156 players. They include a host of proven champions, including Kent’s own Alfie Plant. The 23-year-old England international from Sundridge Park won the prestigious Lytham Trophy earlier this season.

Other titleholders include Yorkshire’s Jamie Bower (Meltham), who won twice in South Africa at the start of the year. Scotland’s Connor Syme – who led the qualifers at this week’s Amateur Championship – is the 2016 Australian amateur champion while his compatriot, Craig Ross, is the 2016 South African champion.

Somerset’s Josh Hilleard (Farrington Park) won four titles in 22 days in April and is currently second on the England men’s order of merit. Teenager Marco Penge, from Golf at Goodwood in Sussex, tops the table at the moment, having been runner-up in the French amateur, losing only in a title play-off. Australia’s Cameron Davis was joint runner-up in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in October.

The Brabazon is always played over the most prestigious English courses. London Golf Club (pictured), which boasts two Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, will host the championship for the first time on its Heritage course, which staged the 2008 and 2009 European Open. It features dramatic tee shots and daunting approaches which make the course both memorable and challenging.

All competitors will play 18 holes on each of the first two days of the championship. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the leading 60 players and ties who will play the final two rounds. Tee times, scores and news are available at www.englandgolf.org/brabazontrophy