The event, over 72 holes, has attracted only 45 entries, a sharp contrast to the balloted fields during the golf boom 30 years ago.
The masters (over-40) championship has an increased field but the 40 competitors will play one round a day in the 36-hole event.
For the first time for many years the championship will not double as an Otago trial, as the Southland Invitational has been moved from March to mid-November.
Liam Balneaves (Greenacres) and Jemery Hall (Southland) won the event in 2009 and 2011 respectively but there are no entries from the Southland brigade this year.
The tournament is one of three strokeplay events in the next month. A revamped Taieri Classic will be played on February 16.
That event has struggled to attract entries in recent years but a return to the 36-hole format is likely to increase its popularity.
The Dunedin strokeplay will be over 72 holes the following weekend and is likely to have a top field, as it doubles as the South Island strokeplay championship, and has attracted many North Island contenders.
Events over 36 holes may become the norm if field sizes are to be boosted in today's climate.
Otago No 1 Brent McEwan will be out to win his fifth title and a win this weekend would give him a rare hat trick.
There is plenty of opposition. All members of the Otago team which finished fourth in the national interprovincial on the North Shore course in December are competing.
The others are Mark Brooks (Queenstown), Nick Borren Jamie Anstiss, Sean Masters (all Otago) and reserve Kayne Wardell (Queenstown).
But Balmacewen's Brandon Hodgson has the most to prove after being dumped from the team last year.
Hodgson has a good strokeplay record on his home course, having won the 36-hole Brunsfield medal for the last two years, but he needs to string four rounds together this weekend.
Otago's top amateurs will be able to pit their skills against Dunedin touring professional Mahal Pearce, who is keen for a good season after retaining his tour card last year.
Although the event is not a senior trial, the younger brigade will be out to impress, as there are Otago under-19 and under-16 teams to be named to compete against the other South Island provinces in April.
