The coveted Russell Grace Cup played for at the New Zealand Women's Masters event played this year at the Ngaruawahia Golf Club was won by the Northland team for the first time. The Northland team were dominant throughout the week finishing with a winning margin of ten shots over Bay of Plenty, with defending champions Auckland finishing in third position.
The charge was led by new-master Kylie Jacoby who shot a 38 in her first round. Jacoby’s skill and consistency over the following three rounds, also saw her claim the Canterbury Shield for the best individual performance, by one shot over Auckland’s captain, Lisa Herbert.
Waikato share fourth placing with Aorangi, who slid back one place after finishing 3rd in the 2016 New Zealand Womens Masters. Past professional Catherine Knight the leading Aorangi player with 131 points, followed by Ginny Bolderston with 123 points.
The Canterbury team of Kate Turner, Di Kay, Cheryl Kemp and Nicky Muir all had contributing scores in a format that takes the best three gross stablefords from the team over the four rounds. Kate Turner who recently became eligible for the tournament played well with all four scores contributing to the team total which includes two very solid opening rounds of 30 and 31 gross stablefords. Nicky Muir was also on debut and will have benefited from the experience finishing on a high with 28 gross stablefords in the final round. Both Cheryl Kemp and Di Kay were members of the 2016 and will be pleased with the teams efforts this year to improve by four places.
Final Results
379 – NORTHLAND
369 – BAY OF PLENTY
362 – AUCKLAND
360 – WAIKATO
360 – AORANGI
355 – SOUTHLAND
336 – HAWKES BAY / PB
334 – TARANAKI
312 – NORTH HARBOUR
308 – CANTERBURY 79, 78, 74,77: K Turner 30, 31, 28, 25; D Kay 25, 20 (n/c) 21, 23 (n/c); C Kemp 24, 22, 25, 24; N Muir 21 (n/c), 25, 16 (n/c), 28
306 – MANAWATU / WANGANUI
303 – WELLINGTON
301 – TASMAN
279 – OTAGO
