Otago made the semifinals at North Shore in 2013 and the finals at St Andrews in 2014 and at Otatara last year, as well as posting an impressive 28-shot win in the Sbsbank Southland invitational last year.
Following the departures of Nick Borren, Duncan Croudis and Brent McEwan, the new quintet only retains Fraser MacLachlan and Chris Snow from last year's successful line-up.
MacLachlan will take a leading role at No1 after a successful season which began when he beat New Zealand's best to win the South Island title at St Clair in February.
He emerged from the South Island teams event with a 100% record of four wins, which augurs well for continued success this week.
Snow retains his place at No5 - a position he found to his liking last year with an impressive record.
He will be first out on the course each round and if he repeats his 2015 form, Otago will get off to a good start in each contest.
Last year's reserve, Inia Logan, comes in at No3 and is looking forward to a good debut in his first full tournament. He is one of New Zealand's top-rated junior players and is keen to make his mark in this event.
Brandon Hodgson will fill the No2 position after some impressive form in the South Island event at St Clair.
He missed selection for the top five last year and has been highly motivated to succeed this year.
The ``grandfather'' of the team is Michael (Moxy) Smith, who started his representative career as reserve for the team at New Plymouth 15 years ago.
Smith has played for the top team many times but has never been down the order and should enjoy playing at No4 this year. He last played in an inter-provincial tournament at Balmacewen in 2012 and is relishing the return to this coveted amateur match play tournament.
Ryan Bellamy showed some good match play skills in the South Island teams event, scoring four wins at No 7 and earning selection as team reserve.
Otago, which finished second last year, has a bye in the first round this morning and will play Tasman, led by Ryan Chisnall, this afternoon.
Tomorrow morning, Otago competes in the derby against Southland while in the afternoon the team will be keen to seek revenge on South Island champion Canterbury.
Otago plays the local Taranaki team on Thursday and finishes with Wellington and Northland on Friday.
Players will not only compete against their opponents but also have to master strong, gusty winds on the exposed Ngamotu course, with the Tasman Sea pounding the shores near the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th holes.
