Frilford Heath are optimistic of hosting prestigious tournaments in the near future after successfully staging the English Amateur Championship last week.

The six-day event, which began with a field of 288 players, was won by Callum Shinkwin on Saturday.

The Moor Park golfer beat Matthew Fitzpatrick, who was the leading amateur at last month’s Open Championship, 4 & 3 in the final, which was watched by about 150 spectators.

He was not the only one celebrating afterwards, with the hosts pleased the championship went off without a hitch.

It was only the second time the event had come to Frilford, whose executive director Alistair Booth is keen to put on similar tournaments on a regular basis.

He said: “We had a couple of rain delays on the first day, but it went like clockwork.

“Everything went to plan and England Golf were absolutely delighted with the condition of the courses.

“We think that’s not only credit to Frilford Heath, but also golf in the Oxfordshire area.

“We have been dropping a few hints about what we would like to host in the next five years.

“I’m very hopeful and don’t think we did our chances any harm.”

Craig Hinton was the county’s only golfer to make the cut after 36 holes of stroke play.

But The Oxfordshire’s representative was eliminated in the first round of match play, going down 6 & 5 to Jamie Rutherford from Knebworth.

Shinkwin seized control of the final with a bogey-free opening round of 68 to take a three-hole halfway lead.

“This win means a lot because my name is there alongside some famous ones,” he said.

“Despite being 3-up at lunch, I couldn’t afford to relax because I knew Matt would come out hard in the afternoon.