Hamilton said after his win that he could only have taken the most prestigious golf title in the World by using each of his wins, from Junior golf upwards and through years of success in Japan, and building towards holding his nerve and his technique for four days at Troon, For Hamilton, winning was a must.

Jak Hamblett seemed to be rushing around the Brocton Hall course in the afternoon singles so that he could get in to the clubhouse to see how the Open was won. He won comfortably 3&1 but that wasn’t the biggest win on the day.

Staffordshire do not like losing, having a proud tradition of some success in past years. Some of their best players are not playing as well as they have and our team were 3.5 to 1.5 ahead after the morning foursomes with some impressive play, notably from Hamblett and Sullivan who were –4 in their 5&4 win. There were points from Sam Foster and Andy Evans, making a welcome return to the team, and from Jack Sant and Steve Mumford. The half was in the match were Rob Browning and Midland Boys U16s Champion Chris Doughill when Staffs sunk a huge putt on the 18th.

Building on that lead, Sam Foster was first to win when he beat Alex Stewart 6&5. Dale Marson was equally as efficient in his 5&4 win, a score matched by Steve Mumford.

Jack Sant beat Leigh Pritchard, once a Warwickshire Junior and the 2004 Staffs Senior Amateur Champion, whilst Neil Taylor lost to Miles Frost by just one hole.

Andy Evans also lost on the last but there was continuing success for Rob Browning and Doughill leaving just Andy Sullivan out on the course – Andy eventually halved his match.

This result mean that Warwickshire will go to play Derbyshire at Burton-on-Trent in early September, able to win there and go on to try and retain the Midland title they won so impressively last year. Before that, the best Juniors will try for the Warwickshire Boys title next week, on Friday 30th July at Harborne GC. It might be a title that leads to even greater things … perhaps the Open?