The naming of one trial squad and two teams has highlighted a major shift in playing power of men's golf from Dunedin to Central Otago and, in particular, Queenstown.
The 15-strong senior trial squad to compete at Balmacewen next weekend has eight Central Otago players and seven from the Dunedin area while the Otago schoolboys' team has eight from Central, one from Oamaru and only one from Dunedin.
The exception is the masters (over 40) team with six town players and one from each of Central and North Otago.
There is a keen interest in this year's trials and preliminary interprovincial matches, as the national interprovincial will be held at Balmacewen from November 27 to December 1.
Unfortunately, Otago will be without the services of two top competitors. Nick Borren is in Europe while Duncan Croudis cannot get leave from his examinations at Iowa State University.
But many of the younger brigade from Queenstown have stepped up and look set fill the void.
Samson Kim finished in second place in North Otago last weekend, two shots behind Brent McEwan, while Dong Young Kim was up with the leaders until a forgetful final round.
That pair is joined by Jamie Anstiss, Chadol Han and Sungwoo Han. Queenstown juniors make up a third of the trial squad.
The four top places in the schoolboy team are from Wakatipu High School while Edward Cochrane at No 7 brings the Queenstown tally to five.
The hilly Balmacewen course is renowned as one of the best local knowledge courses in New Zealand and, if Otago has a young team, it could be another good omen.
Otago won the event at Balmacewen in 1982 when Kim McDonald was the only experienced player.
He was joined by several youngsters who were making their debuts after many top golfers had left the province.
The selection process is already under way and, after the matchplay trials on Saturday and Sunday, selection convener Ben Gallie will name 10 players to compete in the triangular competition the following weekend.
The naming of one trial squad and two teams has highlighted a major shift in playing power of men's golf from Dunedin to Central Otago and, in particular, Queenstown.
The 15-strong senior trial squad to compete at Balmacewen next weekend has eight Central Otago players and seven from the Dunedin area while the Otago schoolboys' team has eight from Central, one from Oamaru and only one from Dunedin.
The exception is the masters (over 40) team with six town players and one from each of Central and North Otago.
There is a keen interest in this year's trials and preliminary interprovincial matches, as the national interprovincial will be held at Balmacewen from November 27 to December 1.
Unfortunately, Otago will be without the services of two top competitors. Nick Borren is in Europe while Duncan Croudis cannot get leave from his examinations at Iowa State University.
But many of the younger brigade from Queenstown have stepped up and look set fill the void.
Samson Kim finished in second place in North Otago last weekend, two shots behind Brent McEwan, while Dong Young Kim was up with the leaders until a forgetful final round.
That pair is joined by Jamie Anstiss, Chadol Han and Sungwoo Han. Queenstown juniors make up a third of the trial squad.
The four top places in the schoolboy team are from Wakatipu High School while Edward Cochrane at No 7 brings the Queenstown tally to five.
The hilly Balmacewen course is renowned as one of the best local knowledge courses in New Zealand and, if Otago has a young team, it could be another good omen.
Otago won the event at Balmacewen in 1982 when Kim McDonald was the only experienced player.
He was joined by several youngsters who were making their debuts after many top golfers had left the province.
The selection process is already under way and, after the matchplay trials on Saturday and Sunday, selection convener Ben Gallie will name 10 players to compete in the triangular competition the following weekend.
