Frilford Heath Golf Club, Kedleston Park Golf Club, Sherwood Forest Golf Club and Stanton-on-the-Wolds Golf Club, are the finalists for the Championship Venue of the Year Award.

The winner will be announced at the England Golf Awards 2019, sponsored by adidas Golf, on Thursday 21 March.

The glittering black tie event will be hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker on Thursday, 21 March, at the Royal Lancaster London.

Nick Pink, England Golf Chief Executive, said: “These four clubs were truly outstanding in the way they staged our championships. Nothing was too much trouble and the support of their volunteers was simply fantastic.”

“We’re very lucky to have clubs like these to help us give our players the challenge they deserve.”

Frilford Heath played host to England Golf three times in 2018. First, it staged the flagship Brabazon Trophy, which Yorkshire’s Nick Poppleton won by chipping in during a two-hole play-off.

Later it was the setting for England Golf Week, with all three of its courses used during the national finals of handicap and team events. Finally, it tested the competitors in County Champion of Champions events for women, girls and senior women.

Kedleston Park provided the challenge for the McGregor Trophy or, to give its full name, the English U16 Boys’ Open Amateur Championship. It’s one of the most sought-after titles in boys’ golf and the club was host to players from 14 different countries.

It was won in charging fashion by Conor Gough, who played the last six holes in four under par, holing a 25-footer on the 18th for a birdie and one-stroke win.

Sherwood Forest provided more excitement at the English Senior Men’s Open when Surrey’s Ian Attoe held off a dramatic charge to win his second title.

He triumphed in a play-off against Yorkshire’s Richard Jones who had a birdie and an eagle in the last five holes to tie. Jones is a head greenkeeper and had had high praise for the work of his colleagues at Sherwood Forest. “It’s brilliant, it’s a great venue for this competition,” he remarked.

Stanton-on-the-Wolds hosted one of the last events of the season, the English Senior Men’s County Championship, and kept the dramatic theme running right to the end.

Lancashire, who had persistently trailed in their matches, came through in tremendous style to snatch victory when Bryan Hughes drained a 30ft putt on the 18th. “It was the putt of my life,” said the 2017 British Senior Champion. “And it was the first one I holed today!”

Tickets for the Awards dinner cost £90 per person and include a drinks reception and a three-course meal with wine. To buy please visit www.englandgolfawards.org

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