Gloucestershire crowned English Men’s County Champions after dramatic finale

Gloucestershire were crowned 2026 English Men’s County Champions after a dramatic final day at Hollinwell Golf Club came down to a 12-foot par putt on the 18th.

Needing to beat Yorkshire to claim the title, Gloucestershire had already secured 4.5 points from their eight matches when Charlie McKinnes walked onto the final green knowing a half would be enough.

McKinnes had been 4 down after four holes against Yorkshire’s Habib Khan, but fought his way back into the match and reached the last hole with everything resting on the outcome.

With the crowd gathered around the 18th, neither player found the ideal tee shot or approach. Khan’s 20-foot par attempt slipped past the hole before McKinnes calmly rolled in his 12-footer to secure the half-point Gloucestershire needed for a 5-4 victory – and their fourth county title.

“My heart’s still beating out my chest!” McKinnes said. “I knew the situation was building with more people turning up to watch, so I knew that it was relying on my game to get the half-point for the win.

“It was a bit of redemption from missing a short putt on that hole this morning. I felt like I hit a good putt that just didn’t drop, so that green owed me something – and thankfully it dropped this afternoon!”

Yorkshire only needed to avoid defeat to claim a record 24th championship, while Essex also remained in contention. Essex beat reigning champions Leicestershire & Rutland 5.5-3.5, but finished third, half a point behind Yorkshire.

Gloucestershire’s success was ultimately secured by game points after they opened the finals with a 7-2 victory over Leicestershire & Rutland. That proved crucial after a 5-4 defeat to Essex on day two.

Nick Day was Gloucestershire’s standout performer, going unbeaten with five points from six. He said the victory was particularly satisfying after previous near misses.

“We’ve lost twice on game points, so it could’ve easily been the same story again today if it wasn’t for Charlie at the end,” Day said.

The final also produced some memorable individual moments. Leicestershire & Rutland’s Will Plant made his first albatross, matching a feat achieved by his father Liam at the same event in 2007, while 19-year-old Essex player Toby Peters recorded his fourth career hole-in-one.