The search for top golfers continues

Golf Northland's search for talent continues this weekend as it stages part two of its hunt for Northland's top golfers to make up the region's golf team.

The second Golf Northland trial gets underway this weekend at the annual Northern Wairoa Men's Open, which has once again drawn a full field that includes a mix of youthful exuberance and experienced heads vying for the title.

New Zealand Amateur Champion Kadin Neho, of Whangarei, will be looking to rekindle his form of late and add a third straight Northern Wairoa Open to his growing resume.

Looking to avoid a three peat of his own is former Auckland representative Matt Cormak, of Remuera, who is hoping to go one better after consecutive runner up finishes to Neho in 2011 and 2012.

Joining them are four other members of the 2012 Northland Interprovincial team as well as recent Mangawhai Invitational winner Taylor Gill, of Kerikeri.

Northland Golf Development Manager Michael Macdonald said the trials look to be one of the most keenly contested in recent times.

"It is hard to go past Kadin [Neho] as a first pick," Macdonald commented. "But, there are a number of guys competing who have played well at Northern Wairoa in the past. There are a bunch of talented young guys coming through the Northland Academy looking to make a name for themselves as well as a few experienced guys, the likes of Ian Power, Michael Perrin and Shaun O'Shea who are all capable of winning."

The tournament played over today and tomorrow with 27 holes scheduled for each day will be the second to last selection tournament. Selection sees players earn points that accumulate before Northland's team is chosen from the points list.

Trial players are aiming for the New Zealand Interprovincial competition in December, where all provinces come together for a week- long competition for the National Provincial title. The final selection tournament will be the Bream Bay Classic on July 6 and 7, after which the Northland side to face North Harbour will be announced.