Tim Omvig, 22, was the only southerner selected to be one of New Zealand’s eight youth representatives at the Australian Bridge Tournament last month — after only 18 months in the game.
"I was consistently coming in around seventh out of all the youth players and was pretty happy to be in the pair that came 10th in the fully open tournament," he said.
A Kaitangata resident originally from the Kapiti region, Mr Omvig has been managing a severe, chronic pain condition after exposure to a toxic algal bloom at 10 years old.
"I was pretty home-centric and looking for a community to socialise and take my mind off things ... bridge was just an option, I expected something pretty casual, just a casual pub-club.
"I have met the nicest, friendliest people here, but because it’s bridge the atmosphere is really thoughtful and focused and that turned out to be ideal."
Renowned for competitive complexity and often described as addictive, bridge has a global community.
Mr Omvig quickly impressed his new friends and began travelling the tournament circuit, from Taieri to Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland and then he turned heads at last year’s New Zealand Bridge Youth Weekend.
Many were surprised the virtual beginner was shoulder tapped for the $1500 grant to spend a week in Canberra, but the Balclutha club had a whip-round to send their popular protege off with a little spending money too.
"Tim’s picked it up very fast and shows a lot of promise, especially for little old Balclutha," club president Jane Whitmore said.
Mr Omvig was not making a big deal of the cards he had been dealt.
"I think they [the New Zealand Bridge Council selectors] mainly look for passion and participation.
"Like how often you’re going to your club and tournaments ... I’ll keep doing that. It’s just really fun for me," he said.
