Golf: Northland Masters come up trumps

The victorious Northland Masters team who brought home the Russell Grace Cup. Photo/Supplied

SUP030417NADGOLF1.JPGThe coveted Russell Grace Cup is Northland's, or at least for the next year, as they took out the 2017 New Zealand Womens Masters in convincing form at the Ngaruawahia Golf Club.

The 26th district championship concluded with Northland's romping home with a margin of ten shots over Bay of Plenty. It was a team effort with all five team members part of the historic win which has given the far North the title for the first time.

Their best finish leading into this tournament was third place in 1997, and again in 2007 where they finished third equal with Auckland.

The 2017 championship was theirs from start to finish, opening their challenge with a solid 100 points, in the first round that gave them a share of the lead with home-town favourites Waikato.

The charge was led by new-master Kylie Jacoby who shot a 38 in her first round. Jacoby's skill and consistency over the following three rounds, also saw her claim the Canterbury Shield for the best individual performance, by one shot over Auckland's captain, Lisa Herbert.

However, the main event is the district challenge and it was all smiles for the Northland team, who have been lead and prepared by past Harbour master Sandy Doherty.

Jacoby contributed in every round with a personal tally of 137 points, in the gross stableford competition, as did Sam Dangen, who shot 126 points.

Alayna Cox, along with Jenny Peters, called in after the first round when the experienced Ann Hathaway withdraw with illness, also added to the team tally with contributions from two-rounds apiece.

The tournament was a perfect for two of Northland's players.

This was Dungen's last tournament before moving overseas, while it was Northland stalwart Hathaway's swansong.

Starting the final round 14 shots behind, Bay of Plenty, along with Auckland and Waikato while not conceding defeat at the start of the final day's play, were arguably playing for second place, unless the unthinkable Northland melt-down could happen.

It did not, and Bay of Plenty eventually won the second-place honours with a strong finish.

Heather Keefe and Shelley McElroy led the team with solid play in all four rounds. Carol Leary who has previously played for Manawatu Wanganui was steady with two rounds counting.

One of the best final however was shot by reserve Judy Cameron (32) who was called in for Gillian Lees, who also withdraw with illness. Bay of Plenty's combined total of 93 was too good for Auckland who only managed 86 points today.

Scores: 379 - Northland: 100, 98, 92, 89: K. Jacoby - 38, 33, 34, 32; S. Dangen - 33, 34, 30, 29; A. Cox - 29, 22 (n/c), 28, 22 (n/c); A. Hathaway - 20 (n/c), 31*, 25 (n/c)*, 28*; J. Peters (reserve)

369 - Bay of Plenty: 95, 91, 90, 93: H. Keefe - 36, 30, 33, 32; S. McElroy - 31, 30, 32, 29; C. Leary - 28, 26 (n/c), 25, 26 (n/c); G. Lees - 28 (n/c), 31, 25 (n/c), 32*; *J. Cameron (reserve)

362 - Auckland: 99, 91, 86, 86: L. Herbert - 37, 34, 33, 32; S. Kelly - 31, 25 (n/c), 30, 27; L. Creedy - 31, 30, 22 (n/c), 27; K. Vitale - 28 (n/c), 27, 23, 15 (n/c)