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About Us

The Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs was founded in the year 1907, its first President being W F Graham, Esq, and the first Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, Joseph Miller, Esq.

Both these gentlemen rendered invaluable service in promoting the interests of the game in those early days and their names will always be held in high esteem in golfing circles in Northumberland.

The formation of the Union was the first step towards the establishment of uniformity in the control and management of the game throughout the County, and in this respect its foundation has achieved a beneficial object in bringing together and making an association of Clubs irrespective of the number of their members or playing strength.

Principles

  1. To promote and encourage the game of golf.
  2. To uphold and preserve the amateur spirit in the game.
  3. To render assistance to all Clubs throughout the County in the management of the game.
  4. To act as the ruling authority on the game within the area of the Union.
  5. To promote and organise various County Competitions which bring together annually the members of the affiliated Clubs, and to arrange matches with other Counties.
  6. To provide representation on England Golf and thereby take part in matters concerning the government and control of the game in a national sense

The relationship between the government of the game and the members of Clubs can be set out as follows:

Supreme Governing Body

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews

(Policy, Rules, Amateur and Open Championships)

Council of National Golf Unions

England Golf - WelshGolf - Scottish Golf - Irish Golf

CountyUnions

Affiliated Clubs

Club Members

The Executive Committee suggests that all those concerned with the administration of golf within the County should make themselves acquainted not only with County affairs but with the activities of England Golf as set out in the official Yearbook of Golf, in which will be found a wide range of miscellaneous information useful to Committee members and Secretaries alike.

Like the Royal and Ancient and England Golf, the Northumberland Union would affirm and emphasise the amateur tradition. Valuable money prizes or their equivalent have been found by experience to be detrimental to the game. The Union believes it faithfully represents the vast majority of players in doing all in its power to discourage proceedings of this kind.

The Northumberland and Union Golf Clubs Affiliation Guide for clubs wishing to affiliate to the NUGC

A copy of the rules must be given to the NUGC, and these rules must agree within them to: -

1. Abide by the Rules of Golf as laid down by the R & A.

2. Abide by the Rules of Amateur Status as laid down by the R & A.

In connection with 1 and 2 above the Club must exercise control over any outside body using the course particularly in respect of the Rules of Amateur Status and more specifically, in respect of the conditions relating to prizes. Failure to do so could jeopardise the status of the affiliated Club.

3. To comply totally with the current World Handicapping System (WHS) regulations and any conditions imposed within the scheme by England Golf.

4. To abide by the Rules of the Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs.

5. To abide by the Rules of England Golf.

6. To include provisions that an Annual Meetingis held of all members to elect: -

a. Officers (Captain, Secretary,Competition and Handicap Chairmen, Treasurer)

b. A Handicap Committee comprising a majority of elected members sitting on it.

c. A Competition Committee comprising a majority of elected members sitting on it.

7. If rules are broken the sanctions that may be applied are clearly stipulated and defined in accordance with the England Golf Disciplinary Procedures.

8. An appeal procedure.

Before affiliation is accepted: -

1. The course must be suitable for the playing of medal competitions.

2. The Club must have access on a regular basis to a measured course or courses. Such courses must be registered with England Golf.

3. The course must be professionally measured, and a certificate of such measurements shall be produced for the NUGC. Measurements must be made in accordance with the World Handicapping System (WHS) as issued by England Golf and the length and all resulting measured courses must be registered with England Golf through the NUGC.

4. Any alterations to any measured course mustbe notified to the NUGC for potential re-assessment for slope and rating of the course.

The Club must agree to pay all per capita fees to England Golf and NUGC which must include all categories of all male playing

members, irrespective of category, including juniors.

The facilities of the course and part of the clubhouse must be made available at least once per year if required by the

NUGC. Where a Club does not control its own course, this provision must be agreed in writing with the owner or owners prior to affiliation.

On receiving an application, the Union will be responsible for carrying out a full inspection of the course by a member of the

County Executive. Such member will ensure that the provisions of COURSE 1, 2, 3, have been or are being complied with. The

NUGC will give advice on such matters and explain any points that may require further clarification.

When the NUGC is satisfied that all previous clauses have been complied with, it will then offer affiliation to the Golf Club.

England Golf will be immediately notified of the affiliation.

1. NUGC/England Golf should be notified if a club is subject to or enters formal insolvency procedures or ceases to trade Goes into Administration).

2. The NUGC will be responsible for giving guidance to the Club on all matters concerning the Rules of Amateur Golf and Amateur Status. It will provide the Club with a copy of its Rules and Regulations.

3. Each Club will be entitled to one member on the Council of the Union.

4. The NUGC will if required, provide assistance on the establishment of the Club’s handicapping system.

5. The NUGC will send to the Club details of all County Events and any other information that is appropriate.

6. The NUGC will give at least one year’s notice to Clubs of events when seeking the courtesy of the facilities of the Club for such events whenever possible.

7. The NUGC will be available through its Executive Committee to give the Club advice on other matters, or if that is not available to suggest an alternative source of information.

A message from the President

John Bell - NUGC President

It gives me immense pleasure to have been bestowed with the honour of becoming President of the Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs, at our annual Council meeting held on 9th of February 2026.

Not only is this an honour to myself but also to my home club of Newbiggin.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank our retiring Past President Mr Brian Aisbitt of Ponteland golf club, for his dedication over past 25 years, where he had served with distinction on the Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs Executive Committee.

He was installed as our president in 2007 and 2008, he also served on the national board of Congu officials, and was 3 years as chairman of the Northern Counties.

We wish him a very happy and healthy retirement.

Moving on to our county players under the leadership of David Pearson junior section, Mike Fleming senior section, And last but not least Andrew Minnikin Our mens elite team Captain.

I wish them all well in the events which they will be participating in.

IE the Northern Counties leagues, the Big 6, Senior 6, Junior 6, and the Northumberland County match fixtures.

Please remember to always compete in a sporting and friendly manner.

I now move on to the majority of golfers in our County, the higher Handicap Players.

The County Executive organise two Handicap competition, the County Salver for those with Handicap Index between 4.4 and 12.4 and the Forster Cup for those with a Handicap Index between 12.5 and 28.4.

I, and the Executive members encourage all golfers in these categories to participate in these events.

Finally I'm looking forward to meeting all club Captain's and Vice Captains on Sunday 3rd of May at Longhirst Hall Golf club.

Please enjoy your golf in 2026.

Kind regards

John Bell

President, Northumberand Union of Golf Clubs

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