Tony Wilson (59), who won the 2012 tournament in Christchurch, is organising the event, and said 15 golfers, including one from Australia, had entered.
''It's [entries] been up and down. We have had a lot of people pull out for the simple fact next year's event in Waiheke Island is the 10th anniversary ... so they are saving their money for that,'' he said.
Entries are on a par with last year's event in Wellington, but down on 2012 (24) when Wilson won it.
As well as the 10th anniversary looming next year, the cost and lack of flights into Dunedin could be stopping people from coming, but 15 entries was not bad, he said.
Wilson, who plays nine holes every Sunday morning off a 28 handicap, lost his right arm in an accident in 1978 when the truck he was driving collided with another truck in the Manuka Gorge.
The former Otago ten-pin bowling representative took up golf about 10 years ago thanks to one of the greatest golfers of all time, Sam Snead.
''I remember years ago back on black and white television watching Sam Snead ... he used to go out every morning and hit 50 balls back-handed with both hands ... that was his practice.
''I thought, `if he could hit balls that good back-handed, maybe I could'.''
Wilson now uses right-hand clubs back-handed.
''I'm left-handed but I play right-handed golf,'' Wilson said.
He has played in all but one of the previous eight tournaments, winning it twice and finishing second in the others.
Beating Waiheke Island's Wayne Johnson was Wilson's biggest challenge, as well as his own driving game.
''My drive is my downfall. I'm just happy if I can keep it on the fairway. My short game is really good, though. That's what makes me,'' he said.
The 36-hole tournament will be played on October 22-24, with a practice day getting it under way.
-by Robert Van Royen
