The proximity of the Taieri golf course to the Wingatui race track could be a good omen for Jared Pender when he tees off in the 72-hole Taieri Classic beginning this morning.
Pender, who made his mark in the second round of the Eisenhower Trophy world amateur championships last month, is the guest at this year's tournament.
In his time away from the golf course, he helps manage his father's racing stables in Tauranga.
Pender (25), the oldest member of the Eisenhower team, rocketed New Zealand into second place with a 5-under-par 67 in the second round on the Adelaide course.
He has emerged as a more mature golfer than he was in his early years when he gave up the game as a frustrated 19-year-old.
He turned to playing rugby for Greerton Marist but a knee injury prompted his return to golf two years later.
Although Pender will start as the favourite, he will face some toughopposition from the five players in the Otago men's team.
Sean Roach (Arrowtown), Andrew Hobbs (St Clair), Philip Bungard (Chisholm Park), Michael Minty (St Clair) and Mark Brooks (Queenstown) will all be using the four-round event to hone their skills for the National Interprovincial tournament in Nelson next month.
The only player missing from the Otago team is 16-year-old reserve Duncan Croudis (Otago), who is studying for NCEA examinations.
Brent McEwan (St Clair) and Russell Newman (Taieri) have entered the event after being axed from Otago selection for failing to make rounds in the Otago championships during Labour Day Weekend.
Their entering shows a commitment to get back on board, but the late withdrawal of Cameron Beel (Otago) is disappointing.
