Northland women's masters golfers continue podium pedigree

The Northland masters golf team smile after their bronze medal finish, from left: Alayna Cox, Samantha Dangen, Jenny Peters and Kylie Jacoby. Photo / Supplied

Northland's women's masters golfers have continued their good form at the New Zealand women's masters competition, picking up their third-consecutive podium finish in three years.

The four-member team of Kylie Jacoby, Jenny Peters, Samantha Dangen and Alayna Cox finished third in this year's competition after coming second in 2018 and first in 2017. Competing in Nelson from Friday to Sunday, the Northland group finished three points behind Bay of Plenty and six points off winners Canterbury.

The 14-district tournament is scored over four rounds of gross stableford points with the best three scores per round contributing to the team's total. Points are awarded for a player's score on a hole - bogey: one point, par: two points, birdie: three points.

Northland ended up on 381 points, with number one golfer Jacoby hitting the team's best score of 37 points on the final round. After a good first three rounds, the group held strong going into the final round equal on points with Waikato to claim third-place outright.

"We all played well, everybody contributed to the rounds, which was good," Jacoby said.

This year's tournament marked the return of Whangaroa Golf Club member Dangen, who was in Australia last year.

Jacoby, a Waipū Golf Club member, said Dangen's inclusion in the team was vital.

"We were probably one of the favourites on handicap so we felt confident, but teams are getting better and better these days with younger players coming into masters."

Playing in a tournament which didn't take handicaps into account, Jacoby said her team performed brilliantly.

"They did awesome, they played around their handicaps or even better and we've always got good team spirit, we can have a good time and play good golf at the same time."

Jacoby hoped this good result would give them confidence going into the much-anticipated "Great Northern Battle" in July between Northland and North Harbour, usually held in Mangawhai.