Rae (52) played in the then Freyberg Rosebowl interprovincial tournement at Otatara in 1985, recording a 50% winning record for the men's senior team.
As a junior at St Clair, he was highly rated and was selected to attend a national coaching school run by Alex Mercer in Wellington.
His best performance was taking gross honours in the Festival Cup tournament at Chisholm Park with rounds of 74 and 68.
''I used my old wooden-head driver in that event and now wonder how we played with those old clubs,'' Rae said.
A promising golf career was cut short when Rae married, had children and concentrated on his business ProSigns.
He got back into the sport six years ago and has returned to some fine form. He is coached by Alan Rose.
The only other newcomer to masters golf is Steve Horn (51), who emigrated from Dorset to live in Dunedin 12 years ago.
He plays at Balmacewen on a 2.8 handicap index and has been selected as the team's reserve.
Horn began playing golf in the United Kingdom as a 12-year-old but only returned to the course two years ago after suffering a back injury.
Rae and Horn played at No6 and No7 last weekend with both players winning all three games leading to their selection.
The remaining four team members - Gary Creedy, Stephen Hitchcox, Andrew Hobbs and John McIntee - are all seasoned masters golfers.
There is an air of confidence among many local fans after Otago convincingly won the South Island quadrangular event at Chisholm Links last weekend.
After a few flat years, the team now has new uniforms, sponsorship and good relationships among team members.
The appointment of Chris Timms as the off course and on-course manager has been instrumental in making changes which should help Otago perform well in November.
The selectors have released the team in alphabetical order and the playing positions will be decided before the team is submitted to New Zealand Golf next week.
