Roseberry Grange’s Bob Ellison and John Jamfrey win the Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs
After a full season of matches across the region, Roseberry Grange-based Bob Ellison and John Jamfrey lifted the Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs trophy following the event’s final at George Washington.
Roseberry Grange director and secretary Bob and committee member John won the final of the 24th Match Play Pairs tournament – beating Durham City-based Gary Wright and George Turnbull 1up in a rollercoaster match which looked set to end a lot sooner than it ultimately did at the halfway point.
The Roseberry Grange pair raced ahead on the front nine at George Washington – winning the opening hole as John made a birdie. While George restored parity at the tough second hole with the only par, the Roseberry pair were quickly 2up following Bob’s chip-in birdie at the third and his nett birdie at the fourth hole.
Bob would also win the sixth hole after getting up and down for a remarkable par following a drop after finding a penalty area with his tee shot. John then gave the Roseberry pair a 5up lead as he won the seventh with a nett bogey and the eighth with the only par in the foursome.
The writing appeared to be on the wall for Gary and George at the par three ninth as both players missed the green and Bob had a makeable putt for a two. Following a remarkable up and down from George from the back right of the green, and Bob’s putt just missing, the players made the turn with the Roseberry pair 5up.
A conceded birdie putt for George at the 10th as the other players found trouble from the tee got one back. Another birdie for George at the par five 11th reduced the deficit further still – though it returned to four when John made the only par at the 12th hole.
Having halved the 13th, the Durham City pair were 4dn with five holes to play. A superb birdie from Gary at the tough par four 14th got one back, though pars at the short 15th from George and Bob saw the Roseberry pair go 3up with three holes to play. Gary wasn’t done yet though and he made the only par at the 16th to reduce the deficit to two. George then hit his approach close at the par five 17th to setup a fantastic birdie and take the match to the 18th.
Having found the green in two on the 18th, Bob held his nerve and holed a brilliant putt to make his par, halve the hole, and win the match 1up.
“It’s a great feeling to be the Match Play Pairs champions,” said Bob. “This is the biggest golfing achievement for both of us and we’re proud to have represented the club and made it all the way to the final. To win is the icing on the cake.”
“It got close at the end there, too close,” added John. “Having stormed ahead, it felt like everything was going our way in the final. The guys then made some great birdies, got a few holes back, and we had to work really hard to win it at the end.”
“Having played in the event over the last 20 years, it’s great to get our names on the trophy,” added Bob. “We normally last one or two rounds, but we had a bit of luck this year and just kept going, played well, and here we are at the end.”
“There are some great people involved in the event and we’d highly recommend being part of it,” added Bob. “It’s going to be brilliant to take the trophy back to Roseberry Grange and put the club in the spotlight.”
For Gary and George, their first year competing in the tournament almost ended with a remarkable comeback.
“It turned into a really close game and while we’re gutted we didn’t quite make it all the way back in the final, we’ve enjoyed the event,” said construction manager George. “The spirit the matches have been played in throughout the competition has been great, including in the final.
“While we couldn’t get going on the front nine, we really found our game on the back and gave it a good go with so many good shots and some fantastic birdies to get us right back into it. The better pair ultimately won on the day – and all the congratulations have to go to Bob and John on a great win.”
“We enjoyed the competition throughout,” added taxi driver Gary. “We played some great teams all the way through – with all our matches at home by the luck of the draw – and we’re looking forward to hopefully giving it another go next season along with all the other pairs from Durham City.”
Bob and John’s route to the title included an opening win away from home at Close House, before they beat 2025 finalists Neil Forsyth and Peter Robson from Allendale at Roseberry Grange. In round three, they won 5&3 at home, before winning 3&2 in their quarter-final match at Roseberry. To book their place in the final, they had to overcome Durham City-based Gary Atkinson at Stephen Carter – the 2018 winners of the event – at Durham City – which they did with a hard-fought 2&1 win.
Runners-up Gary and George reached the final by winning each one of their matches at home throughout the season – winning 2up, 4&3 and 4&3 to reach the last eight. They then needed extra holes to triumph in their quarter-final match, before overcoming Neil Spann and Michael Moffett from South Shields 3&1 in the semi-finals.
With the win, Bob and John earned an invitation to compete in one of Albatross Golf Holidays & Events’ pairs events in 2026 thanks to the partnership between the North East-based travel operator and Northern Golfer.
“Congratulations to Bob and John on their superb performance this season,” said Albatross director Andrew Scrimshaw. “We’re looking forward to welcoming them both to an Albatross event next season – where we’ll see if they can keep their winning run going.”
As well as their place in an Albatross event, Bob and John received £600 in prize vouchers from our long-term partners at Custom Fit Golf, which is run by PGA professional Shaun Cowell and operates pro shops at Hobson and Consett golf clubs. Runners-up Gary and George received £100 worth of vouchers for reaching the final.
“Thank you to all the players who have been part of this year’s tournament,” said Northern Golfer editor Dean Bailey. “The event is always played in a great spirit and that was evident once again throughout this season. The final was great fun to watch with some fantastic golf played by both teams – congratulations to all four players.”
Northern Golfer’s thanks also go to all the clubs across the region which have given courtesy to visiting players – your support is very much appreciated. A special thank you also goes to Brian Brodie and the management, greenstaff, and all the team at George Washington for hosting the final.
“Congratulations to Bob and John on their victory, and to Gary and George on making it through to the final,” said Brian. “To host another Northern Golfer event is a great honour for us, and doing so builds on our partnership with the magazine, which continues to go from strength to strength.”
Entries for the 25th Northern Golfer Match Play Pairs event will open in February 2026.
