"It highlights once again just how good this format is. Last year it was down to the wire and Bay of Plenty came through and won.
"This year it was the same situation and any one of three teams could have won the title in the last round. Long may it continue."
Shirley could not have been more proud of the way the Waitangi Golf Club hosted the annual team's event for the golfers aged 40 and over.
"When we heard that Northland was going to host this event, this is the course that we wanted because these guys travel a long way and we wanted it to be memorable. The feedback from the guys was that the greens are as good as they have played on for a long time, the views were spectacular and the members here have hosted it so well. Waitangi should be very proud."
Northland claimed two wins early in the match against Canterbury courtesy of Shirley and Saali Herewini and then were desperate to find the third point to claim the title.
"At that stage we knew that Auckland had lost to Waikato so we were just hoping for a half," Shirley said.
"We could have effectively come third or if they played well we could win the title.
"A credit to those guys they did a fantastic job to bring us home." Northland No.4 Scott Wilson was 2up with three holes to play but lost two holes in a row.
On the final hole, however, his opponent, Canterbury's Phillip Davis, missed a half-metre putt which gave them the chance that they needed.
Behind, Northland's Peter Bone fought back to be square playing the last hole.
His approach shot to the par 3 flicked the pin and finished three-and-a-half metres behind the hole.
He halved the hole with pars and secured a 3-2 win to Northland.
The final leaderboard saw Northland on top ahead of Auckland and Aorangi who were second and third respectively.
Auckland, who were looking to win the title for the first time in 11 years, were left to rue what might have been. Aorangi, a strong contender for the title last year, again came up short when they lost against Bay of Plenty 4-1 in the final round.
