Bolton Old Links members Matt Buckley and Martin Barber won the final event of the 2026 Golf Guide Tour with 88 points across Formby and Formby Ladies.
What an incredible few days we had in Formby for the final event of the 2026 Golf Guide Tour! We could have been forgiven for thinking it was the middle of summer, as our golfers were treated to blue skies and beautiful autumn sunshine for two fantastic days of golf.
Day 1 – Formby Golf Club
Our opening day took us to Formby Golf Club, founded in 1884 and recognised as one of the most prestigious and historic clubs on England's Golf Coast. Set among magnificent pinewoods and natural sand dunes, the championship links course provides a superb test of golf, with undulating fairways, strategically placed bunkers and beautifully maintained greens.
Travel & Stays
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts
20% off pay & play rates at Macdonald golf resorts
Ireland Top 75Carton House GolfCounty Kildare
Club partnerships
Put your club in front of thousands of golfers
From major course investments to visitor packages, showcase your venue across The Golf Guide's news, directory and social channels.
Having hosted numerous prestigious events, including The Amateur Championship and the 2004 Curtis Cup, Formby has established an outstanding reputation both nationally and internationally. With its historic clubhouse, welcoming atmosphere and spectacular surroundings, it offers a truly memorable golfing experience.
Day one certainly lived up to expectations, with players taking on Formby's wonderful links fairways and huge, undulating greens. As we all know, you can't win an event on day one, but you can certainly lose it! The aim for everyone was to stay within touching distance of the leaders and give themselves every opportunity heading into the final round.
The spoils on Monday went to Paul Burns & James Ferguson and Steve Williams & Mark Worsley, who both returned fantastic scores of 44 points. With a further 18 teams within just four points, everything was set up for an exciting final day!
There was also a very special moment for Jack Bryan, who recorded his first-ever hole-in-one in a Golf Guide event on the 16th hole, playing off a handicap of +1.1. What a fantastic achievement – congratulations, Jack!
Nearest the Pins
5th – Andrew Cornes
10th – Paul Timby
16th – Jack Bryan
All winners received a bottle of Ben Lomond Gin.
Longest Drive
Jack Timby
Tracey Taylor
Both also took home a bottle of gin.
Day 2 – Formby Ladies Golf Club
Our final day took us to Formby Ladies Golf Club, founded in 1896 and beautifully situated along the Sefton coastline. Set among stunning pine trees, sand dunes and natural heather, the course provides a challenging but thoroughly enjoyable test of golf, rewarding accuracy and thoughtful course management.
Sharing its grounds with Formby Golf Club, the club has a proud golfing heritage and has hosted numerous county, national and international competitions. Its welcoming clubhouse and spectacular natural surroundings make it a wonderful venue to round off our tour.
Despite its length, Formby Ladies certainly knows how to deliver drama on the final day! Accuracy and a hot putter are essential to keeping a challenge alive, and the course certainly delivered.
Breaking away from the chasing pack were Matt Buckley & Martin Barber, from Bolton Old Links, who produced a fantastic round of 45 points playing off handicaps of +2 and 2 respectively. Their brilliant performance gave them a combined two-day total of 88 points, securing first place and, most importantly, a place in our Grand Finals in Girona next year. Congratulations, gentlemen!
Nearest the Pins
3rd – Greg Hardwick
5th – Greg Hardwick
12th – Toni Di Cesare
16th – Andrew Cornes
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us in Formby and helped make our final event of the 2026 Golf Guide Tour so special. We hope you've enjoyed the tour as much as we have and look forward to welcoming you all back in 2027 for another fantastic year of golf, great courses and even better company!