Golf: Women surprise at nationals

Women's golf in the region is on the rise, with the Northland representative team scoring a few upsets at their pinnacle event for the year.

Women's president for Golf Northland Sherrill Glen noted an improved performance at the Toro New Zealand Women's Interprovincial competition in Auckland, highlighted by Samantha Dangen's unbeaten run across the week-long competition.

Northland finished eighth, a massive improvement on their 12th place finish last year.

Glen said the result was justification for spending the money to compete at the event, acknowledging that the men's team finished 11th in their interprovincial competition the week earlier.

"We're very happy, makes you feel good to the fact that you spent the money to get them there," Glen said. "Conditions were hot, unlike the men who drowned."

She added Dangen's wins showed her leadership in the team and willingness to do what is needed, given she is not a huge fan of the matchplay format.

"She's a stalwart of the team," she said of Dangen's performance. "She has been around a number of years and showed determination.

"She's not keen on matchplay but she came to the fore with all her matches, she certainly stepped up - and her daughter [Brooke Kingi] stepped up and won three of her matches at No1."

Northland upset Waikato in the first round 3-2 and also beat Canterbury on the final day.

Glen noted that while Dangen finished unbeaten, the younger team members stepped up admirably.

"They certainly got return on their efforts. [Women's golf in Northland] is certainly growing, we've got some really good youngsters - and there's more youngsters coming through. The number of young female players is starting to grow slowly also."

Glenn said that if females were interested in getting involved with representative golf the best point of contact would be their local clubs - and to speak up.

"We're working really hard as an association to encourage the clubs to make available memberships for new players. Parents should take their young woman to local clubs and speak up, or contact Golf Northland on admin@golfnorthland.co.nz, or to go Golf Northland's website and all the clubs are listed there."

Northland: 1 Brooke Kingi, 2 Sjanna Bonnington, 3 Kylie Jacoby, 4 Sam Dangen, 5 Jodi MacAlister Reserve: Danielle Lowe.