On the eve of the Otago men's trials, there have been significant changes to the selection panel which will name teams for the triangular, the South Island interprovincial and the New Zealand interprovincial in the coming months.
Panel convener and team coach Ben Gallie is stepping aside from selection but will continue in the role of preparing selected teams for the interprovincial matches.
Greg Johnson has been a selector for the past two years and will now take over the role of convener of the panel.
Craig Palmer and Michael Smith are the two newcomers and they bring with them a wealth of golfing experience.
Palmer, the golf director at The Hills course in Arrowtown, played his junior golf for Aorangi but moved to Otago and played in many senior teams before joining the professional ranks.
He showed his talent earlier this year when he finished in a tie for 21st at the New Zealand PGA Championship at The Hills.
Palmer was an obvious choice to replace Gallie representing Central Otago as he is familiar with all the promising juniors in the area.
He is the son of Nelson teaching professional Alastair Palmer and has been involved with the sport since his early teens.
Smith (34) played for Otago in the national interprovincial at Balmacewen in December but for family reasons has decided not to trial this year.
He has two young sons and, with another child on the way, has decided that he cannot make the commitment as a player.
As the golf coach with Sport Otago, Smith has strengthened junior golf in the province and he also has a good knowledge of the players who will trial.
Smith has played in four national tournaments and been reserve on three occasions, so he has a good idea of what is required.
He and Murray Edgar will also select the Otago masters (over-40) team, while Colin Cowie will select this year's junior and schoolboy teams.
