The omens look good for the Otago men's team when the top five players tee off against Canterbury in the first round of the interprovincial tournament on the North Shore course this morning.
North Shore has been a happy hunting ground for Otago golf as the team last made the final on the course in 1998, only to lose to Canterbury in a playoff.
Balmacewen golfer Duncan Croudis also claimed the Cobham Cup after winning the New Zealand under-19 title on the North Shore course in 2009.
This success is no surprise to Otago coach Ben Gallie, who rates the North Shore as a very tactical course where course management is a premium.
''Our goal for the week is for all of our team members to control the things they can control,'' Gallie said.
''We will endeavour to have a major focus on the players' attitudes and implementing their game plans. All of the players will have a plan to follow which will play to their strengths which will differ from player to player.''
Winning a place in the Saturday playoffs will not be an easy task for Otago, which has two rounds today, tomorrow and on Friday.
Otago's bye is on Thursday, the day when all other teams only play one round, so Otago will not play any golf that day.
Otago's section is very even and five of the matches will be tight encounters.
The team meets the toughest two South Island teams in Canterbury and Tasman, although four of the players had good records in the South Island event at Methven last month.
Brent McEwan won three out of four at No 1, Mark Brooks was unbeaten with two wins and two draws, Nick Borren won three out of four, and former Northland golfer Sean Masters emerged with a 50% record.
After Canterbury this morning, Otago will meet North Harbour this afternoon before playing Poverty Bay tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow afternoon, Otago meets Manawatu-Wanganui, led by Josh and Trent Munn along with Lachie McDonald and Junior Tatana.
Section play is completed on Friday when, in the morning, Otago will be out to avenge its countback loss to Tasman in the South Island event.
In the final round, Masters will come up against his former Northland team, which he represented at three interprovincial events while at school.
NZ interprovincial
Otago team
Brent McEwan (captain), Nick Borren, Sean Masters, Jamie Anstiss, Mark Brooks.
Reserve: Kayne Wardell.
