The Bream Bay Classic proved the perfect final hit out for Northland's top golfers as they head into the annual Great Northern Battle against North Harbour tomorrow at Mangawhai Golf Club.
Northland's representative golf teams were picked after the Classic, which is known as one of the region's biggest golfing events, with Golf Northland development manager Michael Macdonald adding it was a good chance for selectors to grab a final look at potential representative players.
Macdonald explained how last weekend's event proved a winner with players like James Dobson and Sheldon Kearns returning to play for Northland after having spent a few years overseas. "Sheldon [Kearns] plays out at Waipu and is a former Bay of Plenty representative golfer," Macdonald said. "He has come back to the game after six years away, [while] Jamie Dobson is a former Northland player who has come back from the States where he has been caddying."
Also returning to the Northland men's fold is Brad Bonnington who has returned from some time overseas. "It's an exciting team in terms of potential, but unknown in terms of how we'll go. There is no doubting we've been a bit short on experience in last few years [and] Brad has experience."
Meanwhile, in the women's representative team, Samantha Dangen said the side is fortunate to have carried over essentially the same as last year.
"The first five are the same five [from last year]," Dangen commented. "They're all still around and we've got Danielle Lowe who's replacing Jo Taylor, [but], Danielle has trialed last couple of years [so isn't too new].
"It's always good to have a couple of experienced players and the young ones, trying to bring them into the game."
Dangen noted their side has two true up-and-comers in Brooke Kingi, 16, and Jodi Macalister, 15.
"The more competitions they get the better they'll be."
The players selected to represent Northland against North Harbour tomorrow are:
Masters Men: Saali Herewini (Whangarei), Ian Power (Northland), Kevin Billington (Sherwood Park), Scott Wilson (BOI Kerikeri), Gary Whimp (Northland), Bob Shirley (Carrington), Paul Young (Waitangi), Shaun O'Shea (Sherwood Park).
Senior Men: Kadin Neho (Whangarei), Chase McKeown (Waipu), Lee Neumann (Northland), Alex Neely (BOI Kerikeri), Luke Brown (The Pines), Braden Keown (Waipu), Sheldon Kearns (Waipu), Michael Macdonald (Northern Wairoa), Brad Bonnington (Wellsford), Jamie Dobson (BOI Kerikeri).
Junior Boys Under 19: Taylor Gill (BOI Kerikeri), Ben Kennedy (Houhora), Liam Young (Waipu), Sam Purdie (The Pines).
Junior Boys Under 16: Ben Bowmar (Whangarei), Chistian Nitsche (Whangarei), Daniel Millett (Northland), Jackson Arkle (Northland).
Masters Women: Denise Pilbrow (Waipu), Margaret Aston (Waipu), Sandy Doherty (BOI Kerikeri), Ann Hathaway (BOI Kerikeri).
Senior Women: Sam Dangen (Whangaroa), Brooke Kingi (Whangaroa), Sjanna Bonnington (Wellsford), Kylie Jacoby (Waipu), Jodi Macalister (Northern Wairoa), Daniele Lowe (Wellsford).
Junior Girls: Soktaera Sean (Northland), Shanice Croft (Northland), Soktaerodh Sean (Northland), Taimana Ngakuru (Northland).