North England Women’s Amateur Championship Returns to Seaton Carew for 2026
The 2026 season is set for a perfect start at Seaton Carew Golf Club following confirmation that the North England Women’s Amateur Championship – the region’s only world-ranking event for women – will return this spring.
Backed by strengthened support from headline sponsor Plastic Processing Ltd, the tournament returns with a significantly increased prize pot. Organisers are confident the 54-hole competition will cement its place on the annual golfing calendar, drawing elite talent to one of the country’s most celebrated links.
Tournament Format & Dates
The 2026 edition introduces a split-venue format to test the field across two exceptional courses:
- Tuesday, May 26: The prestigious Goswick Golf Club will host the initial 18 holes.
- Wednesday, May 27: The action moves to Seaton Carew for the final 36 holes.
As the tenth oldest club in England and a layout designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie – the legendary architect behind the home of The Masters, Augusta National – Seaton Carew provides a world-class test of golf. Its quality was recently reaffirmed by its inclusion in the National Club Golfer Top 50 list.
A Word from the Club
Roy Leonard, Club Secretary at Seaton Carew, said:
“We would love this to be recognised widely as the only world-ranking event in the north of England, and for more elite female amateur golfers in the region to support it. 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.”
Roy added: “We are 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.”
Increased Prize Fund for 2026
Thanks to the sponsorship from Plastic Processing, the overall prize fund now stands at £2,700. The winner will take home a first prize of £600 – an increase on what the inaugural champion, Ganton GC’s Amy Staveley, won last May.
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | £600 |
| Runner-up | £500 |
| Third Place | £400 |
| Fourth Place | £350 |
| Fifth Place | £300 |
| Sixth Place | £250 |
| Best Net Rounds | £100 |
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.”
A Summer of Championship Golf
The North England Women’s Amateur will follow hot on the heels of the Senior Salver, Ladies Open and Junior Open at Seaton Carew in May, kicking off an impressive run of events:
- June: The prestigious scratch event, the Seaton Salver.
- July: The return of the Durham County Championship to the historic links for the first time since 2013.
- August: Seaton’s packed Festival Week.
- Sept 29 – Oct 1: The North of England Open Amateur Championship caps a full summer of top-class golf.
Global Appeal
Roy said: “We are now receiving more enquiries from overseas golfers keen to play on the North Sea coast, particularly from northern Europe and the USA. 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 GC helps to boost those numbers even further.”
Winner Amy Staveley with Patrick Connolly (2025 Winner)
