Oscar Hancill, Abby Roper and Alfie Dacey add their names to the Northern Golfer Champions of Champions trophies at The Longhirst Club
The 2026 Northern Golfer Champions of Champions were crowned at The Longhirst Club as men’s, women’s and junior club champions from across the region competed on the Old Course for the first time.
Playing in September sunshine and light winds, top players from across Northumberland, Durham and Teesside along with winners from selected clubs in the Scottish Borders, Cumbria and Yorkshire within Northern Golfer’s circulation area once again produced three exciting competitions.
Seascale-based Abby Roper lifted the women’s trophy for a second time – following her victory in 2023 – after posting a two under-par round of 71.
“It’s fantastic to have my name on the trophy a second time,” said Abby. “I really enjoy coming to this event at Longhirst, it’s a perfect way to end the season, and winning makes it even better.
“This year, I started terribly [with a double-bogey on the par five first] but I got back to level-par with birdies at the fourth and fifth. From there, I just kept the momentum going.”
Abby went on to make a birdie at the par four ninth. Her only dropped shot on the back nine came at the 15th, but birdies on the 14th and 16th holes followed by two pars to finish her round saw her shoot two under-par.
“I knew what was leading before I teed off, so I had a target to aim for,” she added. “I just kept going and played nicely, with a two-putt par on the last to finish off a really solid round.”
Abby’s second win in the Champion of Champions was particularly impressive as she achieved it while five months pregnant.
“I’m knackered, and I’m looking forward to a nap in the car on the way home,” she added. “When you’re playing well, the adrenaline keeps you going. My dad was also back caddying for me, which was a lot of fun and really helped again this year.
“I’m really proud to have won again to finish off the season, and I’m looking forward to coming back to Longhirst to defend the trophy.”
Consett & District’s Jessica Dorritt – the 2024 and 2025 women’s champion – finished one shot back in second place, as Goswick’s Ami Ewan finished third.
Wearside’s Oscar Hancill – who finished third in the men’s event in 2025 – added his name to the list of men’s champions which goes back to 1968 with a three under-par round of 69.
Oscar lifted the trophy on countback as three players – including John Heppell (Brancepeth Castle) and Martin Carss (Alnmouth) – shot three under-par scores in the men’s event.
“It’s a great feeling to be the Champion of Champions,” said 17-year-old Oscar, who played the front nine in level-par with one birdie and one bogey before posting an unblemished back nine which included birdies at the 10th, 14th and 16th holes.
“My round was a bit up and down on the front nine, and there were a few scrappy pars in there. It got a lot better on the back nine, and the strength of my wedge game was key to building my score as I went along. I’m proud of the way I limited the mistakes out there and took the chances on the back nine.
“I felt a bit of pressure, but I’ve learned to handle it and take each shot as it comes, which is key in those situations,” added Oscar.
“It’s a great feeling to win at the end of the season. I started the year strongly, but didn’t play well in the middle of the summer, so to get this win finishes off the season perfectly.”
In the junior event, 16-year-old Alfie Dacey from Kirkbymoorside made the trip north to top the leaderboard with a one over-par round of 73.
“I’m very happy to have my hands on the trophy,” said Alfie – who built his score on the back nine, playing it in one under-par with birdies at the 10th, 14th and 16th holes.
“Winning an event like this as the season winds down is a great feeling, and I really enjoyed the golf course.
“I’d say I left a couple of shots out there, but I hit it well off the tee and navigated my way around very well,” added Alfie, who was competing in the Champion of Champions for the first time. “I went out with the goal of posting the lowest score possible, and being two over-par through nine, I knew I had to play well coming in. Playing the back nine in one under-par was great, especially with the pressure building.
“My birdie on 16 was really important, and while I dropped a shot on 17, I was happy with the round and I’m delighted to add my name to the trophy as I look ahead to the last couple of events of the season and another winter of hard work.”
Meanwhile, Sam Carruthers (Whitley Bay) finished second in the junior event as Harry Hedley (City of Newcastle) was third.
This year’s Champion of Champions event was the first to be staged on the Old Course at Longhirst following the extensive changes made to the business earlier this year as it moved from 36 holes to one 18-hole layout.
Longhirst director of golf Graham Chambers said: “We’re incredibly proud to continue welcoming the best of northern golf to Longhirst, and the golf on display this year was sensational. Congratulations to Abby, Oscar and Alfie – we look forward to welcoming you all back as defending champions in 2027.
“It was fantastic to hear so much positive feedback on the golf course this year given the work which has been done to return the site to the 18-hole Old Course. Welcoming [course manager] John Scurfield to our team has taken what we do to the next level, and to hear some of the best players in the region speak so openly and positively about the golf course is brilliant. We’re looking forward to hosting the best players in the region again in September 2027.”
Northern Golfer editor Dean Bailey added: “A huge thank you must go to our hosts, Longhirst, once again this year. From Graham Chambers and Billy Kingsland, who support us throughout the year setting up the event, to John Scurfield and the greenkeeping team, and Pam and the whole team in the clubhouse, the Longhirst team really are the best in the business. A special mention for our starter, David Gilroy, as well – this event wouldn’t be the same without David on the first tee.
“What was particularly impressive this year was the amount of positive feedback on the condition of the golf course, and this is testament to the hard work done by John and his team this season.
“A huge thank you also goes to Dan Hase from Northern Ball Markers, Shaun Cowell at Custom Fit Golf, and Kevin Gibson, our resident photographer on Northern Golfer, for supporting the event again this year.”
All three Northern Golfer Champion of Champions events will return to The Longhirst Club on Sunday September 12, 2027 with full details set to be announced next summer.
For full scores from this year’s events, login to Golf Genius using the GGID – ENR5K3.
