Chipping Sodbury's course, measuring 6,995 yards off the new blue championship tees, and organisational ability came in for high praise from the English Golf Union after the club staged the national county finals last weekend.

Manager Bob Williams said: "When the EGU announce that they would like to come back to Chipping Sodbury you know you've done it right.

"The course was in excellent condition and there was a standing ovation for our head greenkeeper John Keenghan and his staff at the presentation.

"We were also gratified by the wonderful support we received as there were between 200 and 300 spectators each day."

The final green was surrounded by spectators hoping for a West Country win in the final match on Sunday, but it was not to be. Wiltshire's Ben Loughrey, from Wrag Barn, Swindon, was all square with Essex player Ross Spurgeon but hooked his second shot out of bounds to lose the hole.

Essex won the match 5-4 and the title for the first time. Cumbria beat Staffordshire to claim third place.

● Long Ashton's England junior international Adam Carson finished third in the Canadian International Junior Challenge at Oslerbrook Golf and Country Club in Ontario.

After a level par opening round of 72, he shot two successive 78s, yet finished among the prizes in the individual event. Tyrrell Hatton (Harleyford) won the individual award as the four-player England team again claimed the trophy.

"I didn't play at all well," said the 17-year-old, from Nailsea.

"My swing was the worst of the year. But it was a great trip and it was good to play in shorts although it was windy all the time. The greens were the best I have experienced all year."

He and fellow West player Chris Lloyd (Kendleshire) have been included in the 2010 England Under-18 squad and start their preparation this week with a three-day training session at EGU headquarters in Woodhall Spa.