A familiar face is at the helm for Otago as they prepare for a busy two days of matchplay at the Harewood and Russley clubs.
Former professional Duncan Croudis, 32, will captain the team and hold down the No3 spot as he returns after a three-year absence.
Croudis has been in good nick and is highly motivated to perform well this weekend, make the five-man team for the New Zealand interprovincial and chase an elusive national provincial title after finishing a runner-up three times.
"You never say never but it might be my last year.
"At some point, I’m keen to have a family and step back a bit," Croudis said.
He can get some early parental experience this weekend as his Otago team contains two fresh faces.
Rising teenagers Noah Novacek and Ricky Kang will be eager to impress and gain experience.
Kang was at No8 for Otago this time last year but vaults into the No2 spot, while 17-year-old Novacek makes his senior provincial debut after winning the Wanaka Open and guiding Otago to a second consecutive runner-up spot at the national junior interprovincial.
An intriguing newcomer is Troy Scott, who hails from the North Island but is now the Cromwell club’s champion, while St Clair stalwart Jakob Bleach returns to eight-man provincial golf after an eight-year absence.
Parker Aluesi is back after a year off, and No1 Will McLauchlan and Ben Patston are the other survivors from last year’s team.
"It’s a super exciting team," Croudis said.
The South Island interprovincial is always interesting as the Otago players chase both team success and individual excellence as it is effectively a trial for the cut to a five-strong team for the New Zealand tournament.
"You’re still playing for each other but there’s also a good, healthy competition," Croudis said.
Phil Bungard was unavailable for selection but is expected to be in contention for the New Zealand interprovincial, Jacob Bellamy is overseas and Hamish Ireland has his hands full with fatherhood duties.
A five-team competition means a split matchplay draw so Otago — who won on home turf at Balmacewen last year — will start tomorrow with four matches against Southland and four against Aorangi.
Canterbury, led by young star Cooper Moore, will likely start as favourites on home soil, but a Southland team with Liam Hewitt, Tegan Proudfoot and Liam Balneaves at the top of the order should be more than competitive.
The Otago women’s team will again need to perform out of their skins against a powerful Canterbury side.
Longtime No1 Sumin Kang is away at college so Yoonae Jeong takes over the top spot, and fellow teenagers Anahera Koni and Sophie Park have another year’s experience under their belts.
Amber Boyce and Helen Henshall are newcomers to the team.
There is no Southland women’s team, so Otago play Aorangi and Canterbury today, and Tasman tomorrow.
This weekend offers the ideal opportunity to get used to the Christchurch courses as the New Zealand interprovincial is held there in December.
SI interprovincial
Otago teams
Men: Will McLauchlan, Ricky Kang, Duncan Croudis, Troy Scott, Parker Aluesi, Ben Patston, Noah Novacek, Jakob Bleach.
Women: Yoonae Jeong, Amber Boyce, Anahera Koni, Sophia Park, Abby Crawford, Helen Henshall, Tracey Storer, Nikki Shaw.
