Cosby Golf Club (Leicestershire & Rutland) won the 2026 English Men’s Champion Club title for the first time ever, after a nail-biting finish at Kedleston Park Golf Club.
Their trio of Luke Burrows and father and son Liam and Will Plant shot a combined +2 across the 36 holes of action, finishing on the same score as Bolton Old Links (Lancashire).
Ashley Williams, Ben McSorley and Jack Bryan (Bolton Old Links) led after day one with a combined score of -2, and despite a solid +4 on day two, it wasn’t enough to land the title, as Cosby won on countback courtesy of a level-par score on the final day.
Liam said: “It’s unbelievable, this is the ninth or tenth time I’ve played in this event and not really had any good results – but to win it with my son and one of my best mates Luke, is fantastic. Kedleston was a fantastic course and it was a great event.”
Will added: “I’m over the moon, it’s a wonderful feeling playing with the old man! I really enjoy it and wouldn’t have it any other way!"
“It’s amazing," said Burrows. "We came here today a few shots behind, to try and make up a bit of ground, play good golf and we’ve done our part. We’re buzzing! We’ll head back to the golf club for a few drinks but two of us are back at work at 6am so we’ll see how it goes!”
The success for Cosby sees them qualify for the 2026 European Men’s Club Trophy at Cabot Bordeaux in France from 22-24 October. It is yet another title for Leicestershire & Rutland, who won last year’s 2025 Men’s County Finals, and for Burrows and Plant, they’ll be heading to Hollinwell Golf Club later this week to try and defend their Men’s County Championship title.
“We’re looking forward to the Men’s County Finals again next week and we’re looking forward to the European Champion Club event in France to see what damage we can do there,” said Will.
Dad Liam added: “Leicestershire golf is on a massive up and long may it continue. I don’t mind just watching (after caddying at last year’s Men’s County Finals), it’s fantastic to achieve what we have done!”
City of Newcastle Golf Club (Northumberland) finished 3rd on +6. Check out the final leaderboard here.
Ashley Williams, Ben McSorley and Jack Bryan (Bolton Old Links) led after day one with a combined score of -2, and despite a solid +4 on day two, it wasn’t enough to land the title, as Cosby won on countback courtesy of a level-par score on the final day.
Liam said: “It’s unbelievable, this is the ninth or tenth time I’ve played in this event and not really had any good results – but to win it with my son and one of my best mates Luke, is fantastic. Kedleston was a fantastic course and it was a great event.”
Will added: “I’m over the moon, it’s a wonderful feeling playing with the old man! I really enjoy it and wouldn’t have it any other way!"
“It’s amazing," said Burrows. "We came here today a few shots behind, to try and make up a bit of ground, play good golf and we’ve done our part. We’re buzzing! We’ll head back to the golf club for a few drinks but two of us are back at work at 6am so we’ll see how it goes!”
The success for Cosby sees them qualify for the 2026 European Men’s Club Trophy at Cabot Bordeaux in France from 22-24 October. It is yet another title for Leicestershire & Rutland, who won last year’s 2025 Men’s County Finals, and for Burrows and Plant, they’ll be heading to Hollinwell Golf Club later this week to try and defend their Men’s County Championship title.
“We’re looking forward to the Men’s County Finals again next week and we’re looking forward to the European Champion Club event in France to see what damage we can do there,” said Will.
Dad Liam added: “Leicestershire golf is on a massive up and long may it continue. I don’t mind just watching (after caddying at last year’s Men’s County Finals), it’s fantastic to achieve what we have done!”
City of Newcastle Golf Club (Northumberland) finished 3rd on +6. Check out the final leaderboard here.
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org