Northland Sports Briefs

Shannon Cox won three gold medals at the transtasman under-21 regatta in Sydney last year. Photo / File

Cox back in black

Ex-Whangārei rower Shannon Cox will represent New Zealand World Rowing under-23 championships in the United States after last year's inclusion in the New Zealand under-21 high performance squad. After a five-day qualifying trial session in Karapiro, Rowing New Zealand announced on Thursday that the former Northlander, now based in Christchurch, would contest the women's under-23 lightweight single scull in Sarasota-Bradenton on July 24-28. Rowers Emma Twigg and Robbie Manson have been selected as the women's and men's elite single scull for the 2019 international season. Mahe Drysdale remains a valuable member of the Rowing NZ team, continuing training with the Summer Squad programme and taking part in remaining elite trials April 1-4.

Brown finishes tied for 114th

Northland golfer Luke Brown finished in an 11-way tie for 114th at the 100th annual New Zealand Golf Open, which ended on Sunday. Brown failed to make the cut after the first two rounds, shooting 72 and 73 and finishing at two over par. Brown, who plays out of The Pines in Whangārei, shared his placing with Kiwi golfing great Michael Campbell. To qualify, the 24-year-old player, who has been part of the New Zealand Golf squad for four years, shot a five-under par 67 to be one of four players to earn a spot in the field in the final qualifying tournament at Cromwell Golf Club, outside of Queenstown. Speaking before the tournament, Brown said he was thrilled with the outcome. "To qualify for a New Zealand Open is a dream for every New Zealand golfer, but to achieve that to play in the 100th Open is pretty special," he said.

Sayes to take on Aussies

Northlander Natalie Sayes has been selected recently to play for the New Zealand junior squash team in the annual test match against Australia on April 11-12 at the Remuera Squash Club in Auckland. Sayes will be one of two under-15 girls to play in the transtasman junior squash series team's event. The players will compete in two test matches against Australia in the hopes of claiming the title for a fifth year in a row. Sayes, who now played squash for the Belmont Park Rackets Club in Auckland, will look to defend her Oceania under-15 title at the Remuera Squash Club the same week on April 13-16. The next day on April 17, Sayes will fly out to Australia where she hoped to add to her three previous titles when she plays in the Australian Junior Open, where she finished second last year.