Golf: Northland fall just short in national charge

The Northland Masters team who finished second at the New Zealand Women's Masters. From left: Jenny Peters, Kylie Jacoby, Alayna Cox and Jo Taylor. Photo / Supplied

Northland fell short in their quest to become back to back New Zealand Women's Masters, settling for second on the leaderboard.

The team, led by Kylie Jacoby, were in strong form and looked every part the side that brought home gold in 2017 but a determined Waikato outfit stole the show.

Alayna Cox, Jo Taylor and Jenny Peters put in great supporting performances as Jacoby led from the front to help them to 350 points.

Unfortunately this was six points off Waikato's pace as they looked to rectify a disappointing home performance at Ngaruawahia last year where they finished fourth equal.

Prior to 2017, Northland had not featured in the prize table but have proved over the past two years they are to be reckoned with.

Jacoby, Cox, Taylor and Peters now have a silver NZ Golf medal to sit alongside their gold won last year.

Jacoby, along with partner Nathan, is the NZ mixed foursomes champion and will defend this title in Maraenui over Labour weekend in October.

The win was Waikato's third after triumphs in 2005 and 2013.

Waikato's team total, while the best on the tough short Inglewood course, was 23 points lower than Northland's 2017 winning score.

Inglewood is known for its numerous par threes and only two par fives, making par for the course just 68. Water hazards feature on all but one hole and with tight lies, proving a challenge for many of the 56 district master players assembled for the 2018 championship.

The format of the tournament, which has not changed in 27 years, is based on the cumulative total of the best three gross stableford points totals per team of four in each of the four rounds.

Jacoby produced the best individual round for Northland, securing 34 stableford points in the opener.

The tournament is due by venue rotation to be held in Tasman in 2019.