Otago side named for National Junior Interprovincial

The Otago selectors have named a strong side to contest the 2019 National Junior Interprovincial in October this year, where the team will look to go one better than last year’s runner-up finish to Wellington. Each regional team is comprised of 4 Under 19 players and two U16 players. The Otago side will be without key players from 2018, Jack Turner and Callum Judkins, who were both vital to Otago’s 2018 campaign.

In their absence, Hayden Robertson steps up to the No.1 position from being last year’s No.2, he has won three times this season on the Greg Turner Junior Order of Merit and this will be his third trip to Interprovincials. Long hitting Joseph Hancock will add plenty of firepower to the top pairing, he is the current Otago U19 Age Group Champion, and is also experienced at Cambridge having played there three times.

In the middle order are two St Clair juniors. Parker Aluesi the current NZGolf All-Abilities golfer of the year, who will captain the side from the No.3 position and is flanked by left hander Callum White. Both players are consistent performers and are returning from the 2018 side, where they both made their debuts.

In the bottom pairing, are two Wakatipu Junior golfers, Liam Judkins will play at No.5 and is coming off shooting 67 in the Chisholm Park Junior Open and clinching the title in a playoff. Judkins’ accurate driving and calmness under pressure will be a key cog for Otago in 2019. He is partnered by young Noah Novacek who is making his Interprovincial debut in 2019. Novacek is the current U14 Otago Age Group Champion, and his sharp short game will be an asset on the tight and short Cambridge layout.

 

The Otago team to contest the National Junior Interprovincial at Cambridge, in playing order is:

Hayden Robertson – Taieri Lakes

Joseph Hancock – St Clair

Parker Aluesi – St Clair

Callum White – St Clair

Liam Judkins – Wakatipu Junior

Noah Novacek – Wakatipu Junior

 

Pool A

• Wellington
• Auckland
• North Harbour
• Waikato
• Hawkes Bay

 

Pool B

• Otago
• Canterbury
• Bay of Plenty
• Manawatu/Wanganui
• Taranaki
• Northland

 

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