The North England Women’s Amateur Championship – the North East’s only World Amateur Golf Ranking event for women – will return to Seaton Carew and Goswick this spring.
Backed by strengthened support from headline sponsor Plastic Processing Ltd, the 54-hole tournament returns with a significantly increased prize pot this season – with players set to tee it up at Goswick in Northumberland for round one on Tuesday May 26, before heading to Seaton Carew for the final 36 holes on Wednesday May 27.
Roy Leonard, club secretary at Seaton Carew, said: “We would love this to be recognised widely as the only world ranking event in the region, and for more elite female amateur golfers in the region to support it.
“To host such a competition at Seaton Carew proves yet again that the improvements carried out over the last five years have helped secure major tournaments for the north. It is fitting that a course designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, the man who created Augusta National, continues to test the best amateur players today.
“Events like this make the course even more relevant to championship golf while supporting the region’s talent – we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”
“We are also delighted that Plastic Processing has renewed for another year. We have increased the prize money as a result, and it promises to be a fantastic event again.”
Thanks to the sponsorship from Plastic Processing, the overall prize fund now stands at £2,700, with the winner set to receive £600. The prize breakdown also includes £500 for the runner-up, £400 for third, £350 for fourth, £300 for fifth, and £250 for sixth place. Additionally, £100 will be awarded for the best nett rounds.
Patrick Connolly, director of Plastic Processing, said: “It is vital for us to support elite amateur golf in the north and provide a platform for the region’s best female talent to shine on two of the best courses around.
“At Plastic Processing, we have spent over 40 years in the plastics industry, and we are currently seeing a significant surge in demand for golf-related products. Aligning our brand with this prestigious championship feels like a natural fit as we continue to grow.”
The North England Women’s Amateur will follow the Senior Salver, Ladies Open and Junior Open at Seaton Carew in May – kicking off an impressive run of events at the club. The prestigious Seaton Salver – part of the Durham and Yorkshire men’s orders of merit – takes place in June, followed by the return of the Durham County Championship to the historic links in July for the first time since 2013. Seaton’s packed Festival Week follows in August, before the North of England Open Amateur Championship returns on September 29-October 1.
“We are now receiving more enquiries from overseas golfers keen to play on the North Sea coast, particularly from northern Europe and the USA,” added Roy. “During our Festival Week alone, we see more than 1,000 golfers play our course, and that popularity is now reflected in increased visitor numbers throughout the year. Having such prestigious tournaments come to Seaton Carew helps to boost those numbers even further.”
