The hilly Otago course layout is one of the toughest for many visitors who can struggle to come to grips with uphill, downhill and sidehill lies.
Many courses are simply line and length, with distance markers helping golfers choose their shots and clubs.
But Balmacewen's hills require golfers to play by instinct and feel which has helped Otago many times in the past.
There is little doubt Otago's national title with a rookie team in 1982 was helped by local knowledge and the team has always featured well on New Zealand's oldest course.
But recent records point to a strong challenge from Southland after its win in the national tournament in Gisborne last year.
The Southland players have been loyal supporters of Otago tournaments so it will be like playing at home.
They have met with considerable success - Liam Balneaves won the Otago matchplay in 2005 and 2010 and Cody Harper claimed the 2009 title.
Vaughan McCall won the 2012 title during Labour Weekend to make it two having also won the 2008 championship.
They have also featured well in the Otago strokeplay, with Balneaves winning in 2009 and setting a course record of 62 which still stands.
Jeremy Hall won the title last year on 288 with Balneaves second, Harper third and McCall fifth.
It will be the final matchplay outing for Otago's players before the national interprovincial quintet is named after the Taieri Classic on November 18.
Results will be crucial for the middle order while Otago needs to concentrate on winning in the top five.
Greater depth should give Otago an edge over Southland this weekend as McCall is absent and Harper turned professional after the Gisborne win.
But one can never discount Canterbury which has a plethora of talented players although they are much less familiar with the venue.
Aorangi is struggling as No 1 Tim Leonard is yet to return from his college scholarship and other youngsters have been benched for this event after poor behaviour last month.
Tasman always provides tough opposition and former Balmacewen junior Thomas Facer will feel at home playing at No 7 position.
It will be deja vu for Facer when Tasman plays Otago as he comes up against Kayne Wardell - an opponent he met in many school tournaments.
