MIDLAND AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP 2004 - Finham GC and Kenilworth GC - 25th and 26th June. From a field of 106, Warwickshire had 9 qualifiers through to the final 36 of the 72 hole Chmapionship which has been held by all the greats and this year attracted the likes of Oliver Heath and Gary Wolstenholme to Coventry - but it was our own '1' and '2' who dominated the leaderboard after 36 and battled it out for the Silver Salver in some dreadful weather conditions.

Having arrived back from the County 6s at just after Midnight on Saturday, Rob Steele could hardly have expected to be fresh for 36 holes in the Finham Bowl on the Sunday morning - along with all the other players from Warwickshire and other Counties who had been playing in the County 6s. He was playing with Matt Cryer and their opening 73s left the pair five back from the lead. Then the fireworks started as the two played some fantastic golf ...

These are the final team scores from Woodhall Spa on 19th June 2004. It was a tough day, over a very challenging course, and the final qualification came down to just one shot. Notable rounds included a new course record from Thomason (Leics) of 66 – Thomason being the man who replaced Gary Wolstenholme!

As Leics and Lincs battled for the right to go to the County Finals, with just a player each to come in, it was time to concede that for 2004, Warwickshire would not be part of the Champion County event. This was at 8.20pm, over 12 hours after this marathon day had started.

Very close to this feature you will find a report on the 2004 Warwickshire Matchplay Championships. You will also be able to read the editorial from Andy Kearns on his team selection for the 2004 County 6 qualification which is next Saturday (19th June) at Woodhall Spa, the 'home' of English Golf. There are summaries of the recent 2nds and Juniors Matches in the relevant sections of the site and most importantly for a number of you, there are entry forms or on-line entry for four of the five remaining Warwickshire Union Strokeplay Championships.

It’s that time of year again where we take on the best of the Midlands counties in an attempt to make it through to the National County finals. The format of the event is for a 6 man team (plus a reserve) to play 36 holes stroke play (this year around the Hotchkin course at Woodhall Spa) with all scores to count and very little margin for error.…. And the winner takes all. As everyone is probably aware, this is a highly charged and pressurised event that attracts the very best golfers from each county - many internationals will be on display at Woodhall Spa on the 19th and there promises to be some fantastic golf played.

‘If I play my best golf, I can beat Matt (Cryer)’, said Graham Hargreaves before today’s 36 hole final. It has been 23 since Graham last appeared in the final. On that occasion he played a certain Peter McEvoy and lost 3&2, a match also played at Ladbrook. The omens seemed good as Hargreaves took the lead at the very first hole with a birdie four.