Sunderland teenager Millie Hixon handled the pressure both on the golf course and in the exam room, storming to a five-shot victory to become the second winner of the prestigious North England Women’s Amateur Championship.
The Wearside Golf Club talent put on a steady performance over 54 holes at Seaton Carew Golf Club and Goswick Golf Club to finish at level par, a fantastic feat made even more impressive because the tournament fell directly in the middle of her GCSE exams.
Headline sponsor Plastic Processing's Paddy Connolly and Seaton Carew Golf Club captain Peter Bianco present Millie Hixon after winning the North England Women's Amateur Championship at Seaton Carew. Picture: Michael Cartwright.
The St Anthony’s Girls' Catholic School pupil planned to celebrate on Wednesday night by heading home for a well-earned pizza before diving straight back into her textbooks.
She is currently two weeks into her GCSEs with two weeks left to go, returning to school on Monday for a religious education exam.
Hixon’s commanding performance across the split-venue championship, sponsored by Plastic Processing Ltd, saw her post consistent rounds of 70, 74 and 71 to finish at level par.
This left her five shots clear of her nearest challengers, Isabella Taylor Stokes of The Wilmslow (71, 73, 76) and Ganton’s 2025 champion Amy Staveley (71, 71, 78), who both tied for second at five-over-par.
Rounding out the top leaderboard spots were Southerness’ Ailsa Brannock (+7), Hessle’s Grace Lambert (+9) and Waterfront Golf’s Jessie Lane (+10).
“I’m just so pleased, it feels fantastic. My driving was really good over the three days, it’s my strongest part of the game which gains me against the field, and that has helped me quite a bit. Played steady throughout.”
Hixon said: “I’m just so pleased, it feels fantastic. My driving was really good over the three days, it’s my strongest part of the game which gains me against the field, and that has helped me quite a bit. Played steady throughout.”
Millie Hixon in action at Seaton Carew. Picture: SLsportsphotos
The victory demonstrated Hixon's resilience across two elite courses, beginning at Goswick on Tuesday before moving down the North-East coast to Seaton Carew for a 36-hole final day.
The championship featured a total prize fund of £2,700 thanks to headline sponsor Plastic Processing, with Hixon securing the £600 winner's share.
The final afternoon required plenty of grit after a minor morning slip-up.
She said: “I made birdie on 12 in the final round after doubling it on the morning, then I birdied 13 and that brought me closer back to level. I got a bit of momentum going to carry on and that got me through.”
As the North Sea breeze strengthened, the closing holes brought late drama.
Hixon said: “I was a bit nervous after finishing because I had known I played well in the last round, I know the wind had picked up and that Amy was leading after the first two rounds. Even though I quite like it, I knew it had got tougher. I just had to wait and see.
“When I looked at the board later on, I saw my name at the top and Amy had dropped down. I was really pleased to know that I can hold my own against some very good golfers who are older than me to see the work pay off.”
Millie Hixon in action at Seaton Carew. Picture: SLsportsphotos
Hixon has had elite competitive training with the Steve McClaren Golf Academy since 2019, which ensures she can compete throughout the winter.
And the victory is the result of months of hard work with coach Andrew Nicholson, as well as strength and conditioning coach Stuart Parnaby.
She said: “I am really pleased, I played well and saw things come together nicely. I also love these two golf courses so much. I am a member here at Seaton as well and play quite a bit in the winter.
“My caddy, my dad Sean, didn’t need to help me too much on the course these couple of days because I know them so well.
“I love Seaton... it is always in unbelievable condition when other courses are struggling, the greens are rolling great.”
The win marks a major milestone, securing her second batch of world ranking points following a recent win at the Stephen Gallacher Under-18s at Goswick.
The North regional squad player, who also finished second in the Stephen Gallacher U18s at Fairmont with a course-record 66 last year, already has her sights set on bigger horizons.
“This is one of the biggest competitions I have won,” she said. “After my GCSEs I want to do well for the rest of the year, and in the future I want to go to the USA eventually and continue playing well and hopefully play for England.”
“This is one of the biggest competitions I have won,” she said. “After my GCSEs I want to do well for the rest of the year, and in the future I want to go to the USA eventually and continue playing well and hopefully play for England.”
Her next stop will be the North of England Mixed at Sand Moor Golf Club.
More action from Seaton Carew. Picture: SLsportsphotos
Peter Bianco, Seaton Carew’s 2026 club captain, said: “We are so proud to have hosted such a prestigious tournament once more.
“A huge thank you to headline sponsors Plastic Processing who have helped massively with the growth of this tournament at Seaton Carew, where we would love to see numbers grow further and the competition get even stronger.
“We are proud of the course's progression and I extend our enormous thanks to Patrick and Frances Connolly, from Plastic Processing and the PFC Trust, for their incredible support of the town and this event in particular.”
