Rumford, R.I. – The New England PGA Section concluded the final round of the 2026 NEPGA Section Senior Championship on Tuesday, July 28th at Agawam Hunt. The day brought temperatures in the low 80s and partly cloudy skies. John Hickson, PGA (Northport Golf Club) played a steady two rounds to become a 2X NEPGA Senior Champion, shooting 3-under overall.
Seven qualifying spots at the 38th Senior PGA Professional Championship were up for grabs today. Kirk Hanefeld, PGA (LM) the 2008 and 2011 Senior PNC Champion is exempt from qualifying along with Jeff Martin, PGA (Wollaston GC) who made the cut at the 2026 U.S. Senior Open earlier in July.
FULL RESULTS | FINAL ROUND PHOTO ALBUM
Coming into the final round, John Hickson, PGA (Northport Golf Club) sat three strokes off the lead after posting a 1-under-par 68 on Monday. He stayed patient through the front nine before making his move on the back nine, where he carded four birdies, including a final birdie on 18, to pull into the lead. Dale Abraham, PGA (Northport GC) held the lead for a good portion of the final round. Abraham bogeyed the 18th hole, moving him to 3-under overall, and forcing a playoff with Hickson. The two teed it up from the 18th hole, and Hickson found the green in two shots while Abraham was in front of the hole. Hickson was able to clinch a par while Abraham took three more to find the hole. Hickson claimed his second NEPGA Senior Championship.
“All of us played a lot of golf. It’s a tough sport. I just happened to get fortunate and have things go my way,” said Hickson, following his playoff victory.
Abraham entered the final round tied for second place overall. He maintained his position near the top of the leaderboard throughout the day, carding a 1-under-par 68 in the final round to finish at 3-under-par 135.
Making the biggest move of the final round was Ed Kirby, PGA, who fired the low round of the Championship with a 4-under-par 65. Kirby’s impressive round featured six birdies, including a 3-under back nine, vaulting him into a tie for third place at even-par 138.
Rounding out the top three was Jeff Martin, PGA (Wollaston Golf Club), who shared third place with Kirby at even-par 138. Martin held the overnight lead after opening the Championship with a 4-under-par 65 that included six birdies and a 3-under front nine. Despite a final-round 73, his strong opening performance secured a place among the Championship’s top finishers.
The Forward Tee Division, open to players age 65 and older, also concluded with an exciting finish as Vince Molesky, PGA (Apple Hill Golf Club) and Kenneth Hamel, PGA tied for first place at 12-over-par 150 after 36 holes.
Congratulations to the following NEPGA Golf Professionals on qualifying for the 38th Senior PGA Professional Championship and joining the Baystate Financial New England Nine:
- John Hickson, PGA (Northport Golf Club)
- Dale Abraham, PGA (Cape Arundel Golf Club)
- Ed Kirby, PGA (The Aquidneck Club)
- James Burke, PGA (Ponkapoag Golf Course)
- Arthur Wilson, PGA
- Robert Tramonti, PGA (Triggs Memorial GC)
- Chris Hulme, PGA (Newport National)
- Jeff Martin, PGA (Wollaston Golf Club) – Exempt
- Kirk Hanefeld, PGA (LM) – Exempt
Congratulations to the following alternates:
- Frank Leja (The Club at New Seabury)
- Gregg Richbourg (Cape Cod National)
- Brian Owens (Alpine CC)
- Al Vallente (Harbor Lights Golf & CC)
- Kevin Rhoads (The Country Club)
The New England PGA would like to thank Agawam Hunt, Head Professional Louis Rivers, PGA, and the entire Agawam Hunt staff for hosting the two-day Championship.
The 2026 NEPGA Senior Championship is proudly supported by Baystate Financial, Cobra Puma Golf, RJ Shepherd Golf Accessories, Golf Channel, PXG, and the PGA TOUR.