Neho and Dangen claim top prizes at Waipu

The cream of Northland golf rose to the top at Waipu Golf Club with Kadin Neho and Samantha Dangen claiming the men's and women's Bream Bay Classic titles.

Regularly recognised as one of the premier events in the Northland golf calendar, the much discussed return to the traditional winter calendar position proved a success. A capacity field of talented players lined up for a shot at the Classic title, tournament entries closing weeks in advance.

In the women's competition Dangen, of Whangaroa Golf Club, showed her class with a come- from-behind victory over 2012 Classic winner Brittney Dryland (Titirangi). Dangen and Waipu local Kylie Jacoby opened with even par 73s to claim a four stroke lead after round one. Auckland rep Dryland then showed her potential, turning in the best round of the tournament in the women's field, a four under par 69 helping establish a two shot lead from Dangen heading into the final round. That two shot lead quickly disappeared however as Dangen hit the front at the fourth hole and never looked back.

In the men's competition Whangarei teen Neho, of Whangarei Golf Club, led from start to finish. He followed his opening round 69 with a 67 that included nine birdies (four of them twos) to sit at eight under at the conclusion of day one, eight shots clear of second place. A couple of uncharacteristic mistakes from Neho and a final round surge from 2012 runner up Mike Leeper (Omaha Beach) made for a closer than expected finish. Leeper got to three under on the day through 15 holes while Neho was three over, the lead reduced to three strokes. Both players came undone on 16 with Leeper making bogey while Neho was one worse taking a double bogey five that further reduced the margin, just two strokes with two to play. Neho however showed the resilience with which he is becoming renowned to par the final two holes while Leeper requiring something special succumbed at the notoriously difficult eighteenth with a double bogey leaving him in a three way tie for second.

Bream Bay Classic:

Women: Samantha Dangen - 73, 75, 78 = 226; Brittney Dryland - 77, 69, 83 = 229; Shantael Ligaliga - 77, 81, 74 = 232; Kylie Jacoby - 73, 81, 81 = 235; Sjanna Bonnington - 80, 82, 80 = 242; Vaha Fapiano - 81, 79, 82 = 242.

Men: Kadin Neho - 69, 67, 77 = 213; Jason Gulasekharam - 75, 72, 70 = 217; Mike Leeper - 72, 73, 72 = 217; James Beale - 76, 69, 72 = 217; Tadhg Campbell - 75, 74, 70 = 219; Joshua Leitch - 72, 74, 73 = 219; Jonathon Ratcliffe - 71, 73, 75 = 219; Chang-Gi Lee - 75, 69, 75 = 219.