Last week Alfreton Golf Club again hosted the annual 4 Counties U14s Tournament.

An early breakfast cob and drink started the day and then teams of 7 a side from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire & Warwickshire competed in a Round Robin of singles match play over 10 holes.

After two matches energy levels were replenished with a lunch of sandwiches and chips whilst the conversations were inevitably about the matches just played and unanimous agreement on the great condition of the course.

The weather stayed kind for the final rounds of matches after lunch and the result was impossible to forecast given the fierce competition. This one was definitely going down to the wire!

In the end last year’s winners, Derbyshire, narrowly missed out on retaining their crown and were pipped by half a point by the 2024 winners Staffordshire.

So many congratulations to Staffordshire, whose strategy of playing a practice round a week ahead of the tournament paid dividends! Commiserations to the other counties, perhaps they’ll book a practice round before next year’s tournament!!