Hexham win County Club Championship at Newcastle United

Hexham will represent Northumberland in England Golf’s Champion Club event at Lilly Brook Golf Club in September for a second year in a row after topping the leaderboard in the county’s qualifying event at Newcastle United.

The team of Morgan Blythe (76-70), Sean Heads (76-72) and Junior Dobson (69-73) edged out the host club – represented by Mark Wharton, Cameron Stott and Michael Burrow – with a better second-round total as the teams tied on four over-par totals of 436 after 36 holes.

In the second division of the event, played over 18 holes, Longhirst Hall – represented by Neil Graham, David Chambers and David Gilroy – led the field, beating Dunstanburgh Castle by a single shot. They will be joined in division one next season by Blyth and Newbiggin after all four clubs secured promotion.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United’s Mark Wharton led the individual scoring with a two-round total of 141 in division one as Newbiggin’s Craig Penny picked up individual honours in division two with a round of 70.