Otago selection panel convener Dianne Gillett named a predictable team of five to compete in the women's interprovincial tournament at St Clair next month.
When Rebecca Tsai and former Southland No1 Lisa Henderson were unavailable, the team almost picked itself after recent matches.
The team shows where the playing strength is, with four from Central Otago, including three from the Arrowtown Club.
The top two are Laura Hoskin and Jo Hicks-Beach but the surprise was that Susan Greig, at No5, was not placed higher.
Greig will be a formidable opponent on her home course.
The team will be coached by Otago Golf Club professional Shelley Duncan.
A depleted Otago women's team was no match for Southland yesterday, losing the annual Salisbury Cup event 11-5 over two rounds on the St Clair course.
Otago finished second to Canterbury at St Clair in the South Island teams' event last month but yesterday was without the services of Hicks-Beach and Tsai, who each had four wins at No2 and No3 respectively last month.
Hicks-Beach had work commitments and Tsai is competing in women's tournaments in the United States.
No1 Hoskin was the only unbeaten Otago player in yesterday's contest, although she was held to a half by Southland No2 Angela Gerkin in the fog-plagued morning rounds.
In the afternoon, Hoskin showed her class, downing Southland No1 Robyn Pullar by an impressive 5 and 3 margin.
Other winners for Otago were No6 Tracey Storer and No8 Lynda Rendall in the morning, while No4 Greig joined Hoskin in the winner's circle in the afternoon.
Sally Shaw (No8) pitched in with a half with Southland counterpart Helen Baird in the final round.
Otago women's team
For national interprovincial
Laura Hoskin, Jo Hicks Beach (both Arrowtown), Liz McRae (Wanaka), Dale Dagg (Arrowtown), Susan Greig (St Clair). Reserve: Tracey Storer (Belleknowes).
