Hollinwell 2026

One of England's finest inland heathland courses, some genuinely extraordinary scoring, a stunning 49-point winning round at an Open Qualifying venue, and a Best Gross card that included two eagles — Hollinwell served up a truly memorable day of golf.

Course Highlights

Hollinwell Golf Club — officially Notts Golf Club — is one of England's finest inland heathland courses, set in the rolling countryside of North Nottinghamshire near Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

The course runs through a natural valley in Kirkby Forest, with heather, gorse, bracken, pine, and fine fescue grassesgiving it much of its distinctive character. The terrain rises and falls naturally rather than feeling artificially shaped — a truly special heathland experience, and a course that consistently earns its reputation as one of the country's finest.

Weather Conditions

Mild and cloudy today, around 23°C, with some light rain and showers passing through. The afternoon stayed mostly cloudy with relatively light winds — pleasant scoring conditions overall, and comfortable enough to let the field really enjoy their round.

Memorable Moments

The birdie group of the day put together an incredible run — 4 birdies in 5 holes — including 2 twos on the amazing par-3 signature 13th. Genuinely elite scoring on one of the standout holes on the course. The only sting in the tail — one of the pairs hadn't entered the 2s pot! A reminder to always tick that box on entry day.

Another huge highlight belonged to Kristoffer Haystead (playing off 10), who went out and shot -2 gross on the front nine — including 4 birdies. Handicap golf of that quality is genuinely elite, and it laid the foundation for a properly memorable day.

And it's safe to say the bar took a small fortune in cold drinks today too — always the sign of a good round out in the sun.

Tournament Highlights

A stunning winning score of 49 points topped the leaderboard — and to post that at an Open Qualifying venue is a really impressive achievement. Combined with a strong 48 points in the runners-up spot, and a Best Gross round that included two eagles, it was genuinely top-drawer scoring across the board today.

Winners

Huge congratulations to Kristoffer Haystead and George Vollar, who took the top spot with a superb 49 points — anchored by that outstanding -2 gross front nine from Kristoffer. That's some scoring at a course of Hollinwell's calibre.

In the runners-up spot were Curtis Jackson and Jonathan Ioannou with a strong 48 points — a fantastic effort just a single point off the top of the leaderboard.

Best Gross honours went to Richard Lee and Alex Robinson with some genuinely incredible golf — a card including two eagles. A proper display of low-handicap scoring.

On the Course

Plenty of action away from the main leaderboard on this premium event day — with all four par-3s offering Nearest the Pin prizes:

• Men's Longest Drive (18th) — Nick Glover
• Ladies' Longest Drive (18th) — Sally Corkin
• Nearest the Pin (5th) — Mark Croft (the last group of the day — better late than never!)
• Nearest the Pin (9th) — J. Dunster (a great shot)
• Nearest the Pin (13th) — Mark Brown (a brilliant 7-wood to 3ft on the signature par-3 for an easy 2)

Well played to everyone who claimed a spot on the day.

A brilliant day at a truly world-class heathland venue. Thanks to everyone who played, to Hollinwell Golf Club for hosting us so well, and huge congratulations once again to Kristoffer and George on a properly extraordinary 49 points. Onto the next one.

Leaderboard can be found here.