Trey Whitu, 16, is in Waitangi this week to represent Otago at the 88th National Māori Golf tournament.
Last year Trey secured his place at the national competition with a win at the Otago Māori Golf, in Dunedin.
Then next month Trey, and fellow Roxburgh Golf Club member Jacob Maisuria, will play for an amateur spot in the New Zealand Open.
The pair earned their place at a qualifying event at Cromwell Golf Club.
Journey to the Open was a pathway for junior golfers from Central Otago to play alongside a professional at the New Zealand Open. Qualifying rounds were held at Arrowtown, Cromwell and Wanaka golf clubs to find the nine who will compete on February 25 for the coveted opportunity at Millbrook Resort.
Trey took up golf about six years ago as his older brother Stacey and father Bonnie both played.
Stacey and Trey were on a par on the course, he said.
While he was still at Roxburgh Area School his future plans were uncertain.
Professional golf or shearing were the pathways he was considering for now.
