In July, Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey will once again welcome many of the UK’s leading amateur golfers for one of the standout championships of the season: the Walton Heath Trophy. Combining the rich heritage of one of England’s most celebrated golfing venues with a modern and progressive vision, the event has quickly established itself as one of the most respected tournaments on the elite amateur calendar.
With men and women competing simultaneously over 72 holes for the Michael Lunt Salver and the Jill Thornhill Rose respectively, the Walton Heath Trophy occupies a unique place in the amateur game. Delivering two championships side by side requires months of planning, meticulous organisation and the support of an army of volunteers.
Here, Tournament Director and Past Captain Nick Battinson explains how Walton Heath has built an event that players regularly describe as ‘a professional tournament under the banner of amateur golf’.
What are some of your best memories of the event?
Nick Battinson: The Walton Heath Trophy was formerly known as the South of England Open Amateur Championship until 2019. I’ve followed the tournament closely for many years and would come and watch whenever I could. There have been some remarkable performances. I remember Jack Senior shooting a course-record 62 on the Old Course, which remains the lowest competitive round ever recorded there. Jason Palmer’s 63 on the New Course was equally memorable. The championship has always attracted exceptional talent, and those performances have become part of its history.
When did you become more closely involved?
I must give enormous credit to Simon Creagh Chapman, a Walton Heath member who was one of the driving forces behind establishing the event in 2005. At the time, I was still heavily involved in my career in media and consumer insight, but I always kept a close eye on the championship. Simon was also responsible for commissioning the iconic Michael Lunt Salver, which remains at the heart of the tournament today.
I became more actively involved shortly before the event was rebranded as the Walton Heath Trophy and later helped oversee the introduction of the Jill Thornhill Rose. This year marks my eighth year as Chairman of the organising committee, working alongside my good friend Jonathan Greener, and it has been hugely rewarding to see the event continue to evolve.
The tournament seems to grow in stature with every year..
We’ve enjoyed some wonderful championships over the years. In 2024, both the men’s and women’s events were decided by sudden-death play-offs, which created tremendous drama. One of my standout memories is the championship held following the lockdown period, when temperatures climbed into the 90s and Rhys Nevin claimed the Michael Lunt Salver with a record-breaking total of 270, 18-under par.
The tournament’s World Amateur Golf Ranking status is hugely important. At its peak, we achieved a WAGR Power ranking approaching 400, which places the event among the strongest amateur tournaments in the country. Maintaining and improving that standing remains a key objective because it helps attract the very best players.
The club must be proud of the progressive approach, which makes the tournament unique?
I’m not aware of another event in Great Britain and Ireland that delivers two separate 72-hole elite championships simultaneously on this scale. Professional golf has increasingly embraced combined events, but what we do is slightly different, with two standalone championships running alongside each other.
We are now entering the third year of the Jill Thornhill Rose. Jill enjoyed one of the most distinguished amateur careers of her generation and remains one of Walton Heath’s most respected and long-serving members. It felt entirely fitting that a tournament bearing her name should sit alongside the Michael Lunt Salver. We’re incredibly proud of what the women’s championship has become in such a short period of time.
How much planning does it take to deliver two events side by side?
The scale of the operation is enormous. We have well over 100 volunteers involved throughout the week, drawn not only from Walton Heath but also from our artisan section and neighbouring clubs.
If you want to stage a truly elite amateur championship, you have to deliver it to professional standards. Over the years, we’ve learnt a tremendous amount from attending and studying professional tournaments, as well as through Walton Heath’s long association with US Open Final Qualifying and DP World Tour events. We try to bring those standards into every aspect of the player experience.
What are some of the biggest challenges?
Running two 72-hole championships simultaneously presents a unique set of challenges. Many competitors may be visiting Walton Heath for the first time, so player management, communication and course logistics all become critical.
We have five R&A-qualified referees on site, including a chief referee, while the greenkeeping team faces the challenge of preparing two championship courses for 7am starts throughout the week. The support we receive from the club, the Board, Course Manager Michael Mann and our membership is extraordinary. Without that collective effort, an event of this scale simply wouldn’t be possible.
What challenges can the players expect?
For the opening two rounds, we typically use pin positions inspired by those employed during US Open Final Qualifying. We know they provide a stern but fair examination and help maintain a good pace of play.
When the summer weather arrives, Walton Heath can take on a links-like character. The fairways become firm and fast-running, rewarding creative shot-making and strategic thinking. We favour crisp, true greens that reward quality iron play, while retaining flexibility with tee positions to vary the challenge. Green speeds are usually around 10 on the Stimpmeter, although weather conditions always play a part in determining the final setup. We then refresh the pin positions for the final day to provide a fitting championship test.
What is it about the Walton Heath Trophy that gives you the most satisfaction?
Without question, it’s seeing the enjoyment and appreciation from the players. That has been particularly evident since the introduction of the Jill Thornhill Rose. Walton Heath is a course that challenges every aspect of a player’s game, but it also offers genuine birdie opportunities. In summer, when the fairways are running and the course is at its absolute best, the players love the experience. The scoring reflects that balance between challenge and opportunity, and it creates exciting championships year after year.
How impressed have you been by the standards?
The standard of golf continues to be exceptional. Charlotte Brook’s performance last year was outstanding. To finish at nine-under par around Walton Heath and claim the Jill Thornhill Rose was hugely impressive. What consistently stands out is the depth of talent. Year after year we see players who go on to enjoy successful careers at the highest levels of the game, which underlines the quality of the championship and the strength of the fields we attract.
What are you hoping for this year?
One of the elements that makes the Walton Heath Trophy special is the atmosphere away from the golf course. We provide a rolling buffet throughout the week, creating opportunities for players to spend time together, share experiences and build friendships. That social aspect is important. At many tournaments, players arrive, compete and leave. We want this to feel different.
Ultimately, I want to see the strongest possible fields, outstanding golf and worthy champions lifting the Michael Lunt Salver and the Jill Thornhill Rose. It would be wonderful to see championship records challenged, and I’d like to see our WAGR ranking return to the levels that reflect the quality of the event. Everything is in place for another fantastic week and we look forward to welcoming the next generation of elite amateur golfers to Walton Heath.
The 2026 Walton Heath Trophy is being held at Walton Heath Golf Club on July 21-23. Spectators are welcome.