NORTHUMBERLAND won the Northern Golf Tour’s Junior Golf Tour Cup for the second time.

The nine-year-old competition features a string of qualifying events in Durham, Cumbria and Northumberland before the leading players from each area took part in the end of season regional finale.

This year’s saw over 300 young players aged 6-14 take part in five qualifying events within each County culminating in a Regional Final which took place on earlier this month at Carus Green Golf Club, Cumbria.

Seventy-five of the North-East and Cumbria’s most talented youngsters competed for the Northern Junior Golf Tour Cup and Northumberland won with a total of 842.5 shots. Cumbria finished second with 887 shots and Durham in third with 890.

Jason Budd, England Golf Regional Manager, said: “The Northern Junior Golf Tour is an ideal introduction to competitive golf for younger players and we are grateful to Chinny Dipper and Mizuno for their continued support in 2018.

“Our sponsors have been extremely impressed by how the Tour provides more opportunities for younger players to participate in a fun and competitive environment across the region, opening up a pathway from grass roots to elite level. Players of different ages and abilities can all take part – even those new to the sport.

“Competing on different courses against players of a similar ability is a great way for the young players to develop their golfing skills and test themselves against their peers.

“I would also like to thank all the host venues, volunteers and our team of support staff for making the Northern Junior Golf Tour such a success story.”

There was also a series of individual competitions within the final throughout the five different playing categories.

THE WINNERS

Advanced Boys

Aiden Blythe, Cumbria (best net); Harry Coward, Cumbria (runner up net); Cameron Hamilton, Durham (best gross)

Beginner Boys (11-12 years old)

James Neumann, Northumberland (best net); Jack Belisle, Northumberland (runner up net), James Marshall, Northumberland (best gross)

Beginner Boys (7-10 years)

Ben Brown, Durham (best net), Samuel Mallinson, Cumbria (runner up nett), Tom Robinson, Northumberland (best gross)

Advanced Girls

Haylie Philips, Northumberland (best net), Ellie Curd, Cumbria (runner up net), Ella Jackson, Durham (best gross)

Beginner Girls

Becca Wildey, Cumbria (best net), Chloe Spencer, Cumbria (runner up net), Sophie Murray, Durham (best gross).