A field of 73 took part in the qualifying rounds of the Championship, at the superbly conditioned Morpeth Golf Club.

On what started out as a nice day, things changed mid-afternoon when the weather turned and play was suspended due to an unsafe situation with thunder and lightning in the vicinity.

Play resumed some 40 minutes later and unusually there was no need for a play off to narrow the field to 16 for the Matchplay stages, with the 4 over par being the qualifying mark.

The Northumberland player Harrison Sewell was the leading qualifier shooting an impressive 5 under par total for 36 holes, winning the George Renwick Memorial medal in the process. 

Paul Oliver of Close House claimed the best nett prize with a total of 139, 3 under par.

The round of 16 got underway on Wednesday with some tight matches, with some scares for Andrew Griffiths, Sandy Twynholm and defending Champion Ben Brown who all won the last hole to clinch 1 up victories. 

The quarter final matches were also tight affairs with Ben Brown , Cameron Twynholm and Phil Ridden winning on 18, there was a more straightforward win for Harrison Sewell, who got past county team mate Andrew Griffiths with a 4&3 victory. 

The semi finals produced a repeat of last years final, with Ben Brown again getting the better of Harrison Sewell with a 4&3 victory. In the other match Cameron Twynholm defeated an out of sorts Phil Ridden 3&2.

The stage was set for the 36 hole final with the champions of 2024 and 2025 facing off. 

A fine week of golf concluded today with the final of the 2026 Northumberland County Championship here at Morpeth Golf Club, where two young guns Ben Brown & Cam Twynholm fought it out over 2 rounds.

The final was very tight over the first 18 holes, with the match being all square at lunch. It was Ben who took charge in the afternoon, being 4 up after 27 holes, Cam sensed he was not out of it and fought hard to be 1 down through 32 holes. Under pressure Ben drove into the middle of the 15th green, a 2 putt being good enough to win the hole with a birdie 3. After the 16th was halved a 3 putt from Cam saw Ben defend his title with a 3&1 victory, well done to both players.

Both lads are a credit to their Clubs and are a huge asset to the County.

Good luck to both as they resume their college careers in America next month.

Thanks on behalf of the Northumberland Union to all at Morpeth Golf Club, we have been made so welcome with the golf course in superb condition all week, we are very grateful for everything you have done for us, we look forward to returning soon.