Last weekend we welcomed a host of international entrants to the club for the 2026 East Anglian GC Championship, attracting players from across the home countries and farther afield. Competitors included some of the best players in the world – last year’s winner and two-times GC world champion Reg Bamford, 2024 world championship semi-finalist and 2025 European champion Euan Burridge, Spanish international Jose Ojeda and Irish internationals Mark Stephens and Rob O’Donoghue. Colchester’s own Simon Bird, Albie Willet and Alex Wood competed along with other home players from around the country, in an opportunity to test their skills against the world’s best.
The spring sun and warmth of Day 1 qualification was replaced on Day 2 with cloud and an autumnal-feeling north wind. Thankfully it stayed dry, and fast and true lawns and tight hoops made for close matches. In the end, Reg Bamford and Euan Burridge won through to play a nail-biting best of three final, with Euan coming through two games to one. The Plate competition was contested by our own Albie Willett and Alex Wood, again a close encounter with Alex edging Albie 7-4 in the deciding game.
Well done and many thanks to the volunteers who made this a huge success for the club, cementing our position as one of the finest clubs in the country.
- To Jonathan, Alex and Simon for white lining, setting the Quadway hoops, and mowing the lawns whilst getting to grips with our new mower. The lawns were commented on by several players as being in great condition.
- To Patricia and Chris for tea and cakes and washing up
- To Ian C for opening up on both days, getting the clubhouse ready and swishing the lawns before play
- And to Ian Burridge for setting halfway markers beforehand, and acting as tournament manager whilst also playing – no mean feat!
