One of Europe’s most prestigious amateur golf tournaments returns to Northamptonshire County Golf Club this week.
Players from 22 countries will compete in the 86th Carris Trophy from 21-24 July at the classic heathland club. Northamptonshire County GC is ranked among England’s top 100 golf courses and is a frequent Open Championship Qualifying venue.
The 72-hole event, officially entitled the English Boys’ Open Stroke Play Championship, is open to male golfers aged under 18 on 1st Jan 2026. Former champions include Major-winners Justin Rose and Sandy Lyle, and several Ryder Cup stars.
The club’s revered 6,721 yard par 70 golf course, which has hosted many prestigious national and regional championships over the last 116 years, will welcome 144 competitors tomorrow, with a 36-hole cut on Wednesday evening to 60 and ties.
Rising stars such as England’s Aaron Moody and Italy’s Giampaolo Gagliardi, currently ranked #2 and #3 in European U-18 golf respectively, will compete in the event which is also a qualifying tournament for the European Junior Ryder Cup in September 2027.
The club first hosted the Carris Trophy in 1994, with 17 year old junior member Robert Duck eventually winning the trophy. Now an Executive VP at Hambric Sports, the athlete management company, Northampton-born Duck remembers his victory 32 years ago. “I had been a member at the club since I was four years old, and expectations were high!” he said. “I was naturally very nervous, representing the club, but I came out all guns blazing in the third round and set a new course record. The golf course was baked dry, fast and firm, just like it will be this week. Lord Spencer presented me with the prize, and I will never forget the experience.”
Club Chairman Martin Jaffrey said: “It is great for our members to be able to come and watch these young, high quality golfers take on our wonderful heathland course. We are delighted to host the Carris Trophy again, and cannot wait to see how they fare.”
The recent hot weather means that competitors will face fast-running fairways at the Church Brampton-based venue. Course Manager Rob Hay said: “Our golf course is definitely wearing its summer clothes! There will be a lot of irons off the tees, as the rough is long, there’s gorse to find, and many trees to get behind if you’re not careful. Wayward drives will not stop until they find trouble, and your approach play must be accurate as our greens are extremely undulating. We think the Carris players will love our golf course this week.”
England Golf Championship Manager Scott Allison said: “Northamptonshire County’s quality cements it as a high-calibre championship golf course. For Europe’s biggest Under 18 Boys tournament we needed a great test of golf, with good practice facilities and lots of space – all of which the club provides. The club has been fantastic through the planning process; the staff and volunteers have made it as easy as possible for us to organise the return of the Carris Trophy to this much-loved classic English heathland venue.”
The club’s now-retired Head Professional and 83rd Captain of the PGA Tim Rouse described Northamptonshire County GC as “the club which never stands still”. Current Head Pro Mark Norton said: “We are indeed ever-evolving while still remaining true to Harry Colt’s original visionary architecture. Hosting the 86th Carris Trophy is simply the latest landmark at this club, which is one of the undisputed jewels of English golf.”
Norton continued: “To attack this course, you must be on the fairway. Golfers this week have to approach it like they are playing a links course – it is firm, and off the Black tees it will play narrow at normal driving distances. The fairways feed the bunkers, as they should, so Carris competitors must not be tempted to hit too many drivers. The winner will be someone who can place their ball accurately, avoiding the dangers of the fast-running fairways so he can get the right amount of spin to attack the pins. Clear birdie opportunities include holes 2 and 18, which are two-shot par fives for most players, and holes 4, 8 and possibly 14 are temptingly short par fours, but the penalties for errant shots will be severe this week, with such a lot of run on the ball. I would advise patience and self-control!”
The action begins at 0700 on Tuesday 21st July off the Black Tees at Northamptonshire County Golf Club. Spectators are welcome, with 45 club members volunteering on each of the four days to ensure the event runs smoothly.