The bright, well-spoken year 13 Otago Boys High School pupil joined an illustrious list which includes the likes of Grant Waite, Craig Perks, Michael Long and Steven Alker when he shot 70 in the last round to become the first Otago winner of the Cobham Cup.
The tournament has helped launch careers and the 17-year-old's win has thrust him into contention for a place in the four-man New Zealand team to contest the world junior championship in China later this year.
The team is expected to be announced later this month and Croudis is keeping his mobile phone close, hoping for a call.
"Hopefully I can make the team," he said.
Croudis' final round of 70 may have clinched the title, but he set the win up with a solid 74 in difficult conditions on day two.
"That second round was pretty good. Seventy-four doesn't look that good, but it was windy and the course was playing quite tough."
Croudis was two shots back going into the final round and realised he was in with a chance of winning if he played well.
The Otago under-19 and under-23 champion started superbly with three birdies to take a share of the lead - not that he knew.
Croudis decided not to look at the leader board during the final round and just concentrate on what he could control - hitting the ball cleanly and playing calculated golf.
"I just wanted to play as well, and post as good a score. as I could, so the leader board didn't really matter."
The tactic paid off but once the crowd started following him around the course he knew he must be close to the lead.
Despite the gathering entourage, he kept his focus and played intelligently to shake off most of the other contenders except Waitemata's Andrew Priestley.
The crucial break came when Priestley dropped a shot on the 16th to trail by one.
The win capped off an impressive comeback after a first-round score of 71 left him in seventh place.
It is an exciting time for the teenager.
But while he hopes to follow in the footsteps of some of the former winners and forge a professional career, his more immediate aim is to get a sporting scholarship in the United States.
"I'll stay at home next year and do commerce at Otago University, but I want to go to college in the States and hopefully get a golf scholarship."
