Top golfers to be tested under new format

ON the eve of the selection of the first Otago men’s team this season, Otago’s top golfers will face new pressures with the change of format of the North Otago tournament this weekend.

The spring tournament has traditionally been played over 72 holes of strokeplay but dwindling fields have led to the organisers changing to a matchplay format.

The event will start with an 18hole qualifying round tomorrow morning, after which players will be divided into groups of eight to begin matchplay.

The top two octets will be played off the stick while those who do not make the top 16 will compete on a handicap basis.

It will be crucial for fringe triallists to qualify well and make one of the top two groups in order to stake their claims for selection.

The advantage this weekend’s format is the selection trio will be able to see top players’ match play skills.

At the conclusion of the North Otago event, selection convener Jason Hughes will name 10 players to compete against Southland the next weekend on the Taieri Lakes course. After that event and four more listed trials, a team of eight will be chosen to compete in the South Island Interprovincial at Methven at the end of October.

After this, the final quintet plus a reserve will be named for the Toro tournament on the Clearwater course in Christchurch at the end of November.