The Northland Masters team - from back left, Saali Herewini, Nathan Jacoby, Grant Campbell (manager), Peter Bone, Scott Wilson and Brett Dormer.
The Northland Masters golf team did the province proud at a major inter-provincial tournament last week.
Competing at the Freyberg Masters in Taupo from Monday to Friday, November 12-16, Northland managed a sixth-place finish out of the 15 teams contesting this year's title.
Manager Grant Campbell, who hails from the Kerikeri Golf Club, said the five strong Northland team played eight other provinces during the week-long tournament and after getting off to a relatively slow start, picked up a head of steam and went on to win the last four matches.
The absolute highlight was the win over Auckland midweek which proved a turning point of sort for the Northland boys, said Campbell. He noted Auckland had not been beaten in the event in the last two years, and the defeat at Northland's hands prevented them from securing their third consecutive title.
Northland began the campaign with a 4-1 loss to Cambridge, went on to beat Otago 3 — 1, then lost narrowly to Aorangi 3-2 followed by defeat to Tasman 4-1.
The side rallied to record a 3-2 win over defending champions Auckland which proved a popular result: "Put it this way, all the other teams were high-fiving us afterwards!"
The side took a lot out of that result and went on to beat Taranaki 5-0, Hawke's Bay 4-1 and, finally, North Harbour 3-2 on Friday.
"It was a really good end to the week, strong finish. We did blow the game against Aorangi," Campbell admitted, noting a win there would have propelled Northland into fourth place albeit still out of medal contention.
"To beat Auckland was the real highlight of the week. Last two years they have gone eight from eight. They didn't win it because we beat them, they finished third," he said, noting Manawatu/ Whanganui won this year's title with 7 wins while runners-up Tasman took the runners up spot with 6 wins, pipping Auckland on countback.
"Pretty good performance overall considering the bad start we got off to," said Campbell, concluding by thanking the team's major sponsor.
Northland included No 1 Saali Herewini from Whangarei GC (who finished the week with 5 wins), No 2 Brett Dormer from Ahipara (4), No 3 Peter Bone from Northland GC (2), Nathan Jacoby from Waipu GC (recording an impressive 5 wins in his first rep masters tournament) and No 5 Scott Wilson from Waitangi GC (5).
* A domestic round-up of recent results from various other local clubs is as follows.
KAITAIA MEN.
A decent crowd turned out at Ahipara last Saturday contest the Kaitaia Golf Club's annual and major Lamb & Likka tournament. A fine day greeted the field and some very hot rounds were turned in, none more than Terry Wright and Kerry Rolleston, who both came in with impressive 64 nett scores of 44 and 45 stableford points respectively.
Results were, men, nett: T Wright 64, J Gardner 68, stableford: T Shaw 42, D McCulloch 39, B Waitai 38, I Bates 37, H Mercer 37, D Frost 37, T Tahana 37; ladies, nett K Rolleston 64, E Knightbridge 71, stableford: R Shaw 42, E Wright 35.
This Saturday the club holding its annual Christmas Cheer tournament.
Draw is No 1 tee: 10am K Rolleston, E Wright, S Semenoff, L Shailes, 1008 P Currie, G Billington, J Carnachan, T Tahana, 10.16 L McCarthny, L Subritzky, R McCarthny, J Doolan, 10.24 D Masters, L Masters, S Yates, V Yates, 10.32 P Hanara, R Manga, D Frost, F Smith; No 9: 10am C Shailes, J Proctor, W Clark, D McCulloch, 10.08 T Wright, P Thompson, J Gardner, B McDonald, 10.16 H Stephens, M Ashby, P Clark, B Waitai, 10.24 G Rogers, W Rogers, C Helleur, H Mercer, 10.32 C Phillips, D Brott, J Hinchco, L Yuretich.
Players are asked to be early for their tee times and those yet to register but still keen were advised post entries will be taken on the day.
WHANGAROA.
Perfect weather, a beautifully groomed golf course, a generous sponsor and 130 entries set the perfect stage for Whangaroa Golf Club's annual Christmas Cheer Tournament to be held on Sunday.
Stableford results from the annual Pak'nSave Kaitaia tournament are as follows, men: Travis Tahana, Jeff Parker (both) 45, Colin Te Hira 44, John McSorley, Stu Beresford, Nigel Dobson, Ray Pittams, Mark Edwards 43, Terry Wright, Paul Lovell, Peter Graham, Dave Nicholas 42, Richard Stewart, Rob Jerome 41, Tom Miliona, Gordon Ramsey, Garth Butler, Paul Moffat, Paul Wilton and Noel Taylor 40; and, ladies: Pam Weber 45, Bernadette Dobson 44, Jennifer Henry 41, Kathryn Graham, Diane Collins, Val Moffat, Carmen Nelson, Bertha Leslie, Carol Boyed 40.
In domestic news, top placegetters in the club vets' hit out on Monday (November 19) were, ladies: Jennifer Henry 42, Carol Boyed 41, Gaye Pembroke 40, men: Jeff Parker, John Jepson 46, John Munro 40, Bob Rouse 38, Paul Lovell, Joe Rogers 37.
KAITAIA VETS.
Monday proved an enjoyable day for the 28 Kaitaia Golf Club vets' members who had a 11am tee off in pleasant conditions.
A report from the club noted it was a mixed day, "which brings out the best in some".
Results were, men: Jim Gardner, Peter Hammond (both) 34, Bill Steed 32, Bruce McDonald, Bobby Robson 30 (with Robson and John Doolan scoring 2s); ladies: Fay Patterson, Elaine Hammond 31, Lesley Masters 30.
Also, nearest the pin prizes for Bill Logan (men) and Rosaleen Steed (ladies) while the lucky draw went to Rob McCarthny.
Everyone enjoyed a lovely lunch then went home after play was completed before returning at 5pm for happy hour, and dinner at 6pm. A turnout of 40 attended a sumptuous dinner before prize giving.
Trophy winners this year were, ladies, Wilson Cup and Rex Dawson Cup: Raewyn Shaw, Findlay Cup: Glenys Rogers and Chris Hollamby, Knight Trophy: Elaine Hammond and John Doolan, Most NTP: Anne Squire and Elaine Hammond; men: Pud Ray Cup and Wilson Shield: Travis Tahana, Most NTPs: Bill Steed and Bruce McDonald. Elaine Hammond was also presented with her Hole-in-One Trophy
The vets will resume next year on Monday, February 18, but in the interim, many will be part of the Kaitaia Golf Club's summer golf programme which starts this coming Monday with a 9am tee-off.