Ever fancied testing yourself against some of the world’s best amateur golfers? Well, this your chance with entries for the 2026 Walton Heath Trophy now open.
The Walton Heath Trophy has become one of the premier championships in the amateur game. The famed World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) event is played across two of Britain’s best golf courses at the revered Surrey venue and it will return from July 21-23.
Herbert Fowler’s celebrated Old and New Courses will welcome men competing for the Michael Lunt Salver and women contesting the Jill Thornhill Rose.
Formerly known as the South of England Open Amateur Championship, the Walton Heath Trophy attracts elite fields from across the UK, Europe and the US collegiate system, offering ambitious golfers the chance to earn valuable WAGR points while experiencing a championship that has the feel of a professional event.
The opening 36 holes are played across both the Old and New Courses, both of which sit within the top 50 in our Top 100 Courses in England, before the field is cut to 40 men and ties and 20 women and ties ahead of a 36-hole final day. Men and women compete simultaneously throughout the championship, making it one of the few elite amateur events to use the same tournament format for both competitions.
Walton Heath’s reputation as one of golf’s great championship venues only adds to the appeal. The Surrey club has hosted the Ryder Cup, the AIG Women’s Open, the British Masters, the Women’s Amateur Championship, and it has been a regular venue for US Open Final Qualifying since 2005.
Just last month, England’s Nathan Kimsey came through Final Qualifying at Walton Heath to lead a group of seven players into the field for the US Open at Shinnecock Hills. It was also the venue where Michael Campbell earned his place in the 2005 US Open before going on to defeat Tiger Woods and lift the trophy at Pinehurst.
The championship has become a proving ground for some of amateur golf’s brightest talents. Last year’s winners were Lewy Hayward, who claimed the Michael Lunt Salver on 14-under par, and Charlotte Brook, who lifted the Jill Thornhill Rose after finishing nine-under – scoring that reflects the exceptional standard of talent on show.
This year’s championship will feature several former winners looking to add another title to their collection, including defending women’s champion Brook, inaugural Jill Thornhill Rose winner Madeleine Smith and 2024 Michael Lunt Salver champion Daniel Nicholls. Last year’s runners-up, Amelia Curtis and Oliver Cage, are also among those expected to challenge.
The Michael Lunt Salver honours one of Britain’s most distinguished amateur golfers, a former Amateur champion, Walker Cup player and Captain of The R&A. Previous winners include Masters champion Danny Willett, DP World Tour winner Ross McGowan and amateur great Gary Wolstenholme.
Walton Heath Managing Director Nick Moran believes another strong field is set to assemble this summer.
“The Walton Heath Trophy goes from strength to strength and is one of the highlights of the season,” he said. “Both our Old and New Courses are in wonderful condition having recently hosted Final US Open Qualifying, and we are expecting a strong field that brings together some of the game’s leading amateurs.”
Tournament Director and former club captain Nick Battinson believes the dual-course challenge is central to the championship’s appeal.
“The Walton Heath Trophy has always delivered a top-class field with a number of high-profile winners,” he said.
“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 well over 100 years.”
Entry costs £140 for the men’s championship and £110 for the women’s event. Full eligibility criteria and tournament information are available on the Walton Heath website.
Enter the men’s event here and the women’s event here.