Cosby Golf Club overturned a four-shot deficit at Kedleston Park to claim their first English Men’s Champion Club title, beating Bolton Old Links on countback after 36 holes.

There are comfortable ways to win a national title. Then there is the Cosby Golf Club method: spend two days playing 36 holes, finish absolutely level with the opposition and let the countback rules sort out whose name goes on the trophy.

Cosby’s Luke Burrows and father-and-son pairing Liam and Will Plant emerged as the 2026 English Men’s Champion Club winners at Kedleston Park Golf Club after a finish that could scarcely have been tighter.

Their combined two-round total of +2 matched Bolton Old Links, but Cosby’s level-par second day proved decisive, earning the Leicestershire & Rutland club its first title.

For three players who began the final round four shots behind, it was some piece of work.

Bolton Old Links had the advantage

Bolton Old Links had established themselves as the team to catch after the opening day.

Ashley Williams, Ben McSorley and Jack Bryan combined for -2, giving the Lancashire club a useful advantage heading into the concluding round. Their second-day score of +4 was hardly a collapse; in most circumstances, it might have been enough.

Cosby simply gave them nothing to hide behind.

Burrows and the Plants combined for level par on day two, wiping away the deficit and pulling themselves alongside Bolton Old Links at +2 overall.

And there the arithmetic became rather important.

With the teams tied after 36 holes, the championship was decided on countback, where Cosby’s superior final-day score settled matters.

Golf has devised more elaborate forms of emotional distress, admittedly, but not many.

A first for Cosby — and a long-awaited one for Liam Plant

The victory carried a little extra weight for Liam Plant, who had played in the event nine times previously without managing the sort of result he wanted.

Attempt number ten was rather more productive.

“It’s unbelievable, this is the 10th time I’ve played in this event and not really had any good results – but to win it with my son and one of my best mates Luke, is fantastic.”

There was also the small matter of sharing a national title with his son.

Will Plant said: “I’m over the moon, it’s a wonderful feeling playing with the old man! I really enjoy it and wouldn’t have it any other way!”

That family connection gave Cosby’s victory something beyond the usual collection of numbers on a leaderboard. One father, one son, one close friend and, eventually, one national championship.

Burrows was equally delighted with the way the final day had unfolded.

“It’s amazing,” said Burrows. “We came here today a few shots behind, to try and make up a bit of ground, play good golf and we’ve done our part. We’re buzzing! We’ll head back to the golf club for a few drinks but two of us are back at work at 6am so we’ll see how it goes!”

National champion one evening, alarm clock victim the next morning. Golf does enjoy keeping people grounded.

Cosby now have Europe to look forward to

Winning the English Men’s Champion Club title has given Cosby more than domestic bragging rights.

The club has qualified for the 2026 European Men’s Club Trophy at Cabot Bordeaux in France from 22-24 October, giving Burrows and the Plants another stage on which to test themselves.

For Leicestershire & Rutland golf, it also continues a productive spell.

The county won the 2025 Men’s County Finals, while Burrows and Plant are due at Hollinwell Golf Club later this week as they attempt to defend their Men’s County Championship title.

“We’re looking forward to the Men’s County Finals again next week and we’re looking forward to the European Champion Club event in France to see what damage we can do there,” said Will.

Liam, who caddied at last year’s Men’s County Finals, was happy enough with the broader picture too.

“Leicestershire golf is on a massive up and long may it continue. I don’t mind just watching (after caddying at last year’s Men’s County Finals), it’s fantastic to achieve what we have done!”

City of Newcastle take third

Behind the two clubs contesting the title, City of Newcastle Golf Club finished third on +6.

But the afternoon belonged to Cosby.

Thirty-six holes had failed to separate them from Bolton Old Links. One final-round countback did.

After ten appearances for Liam Plant and a first English Men’s Champion Club title for Cosby, nobody from Leicestershire was likely to complain about the method.

Sometimes the finest margin is quite enough.