The long overdue amalgamation of men's and women's golf came to fruition during the year and both sexes posted their best results for almost a decade.
First up came the women's team which finished fifth in the interprovincial tournament on the Miramar course in Wellington.
Otago No 1 Monica Tulisi showed her class in this company with five wins, and the team benefited from the acquisitions of former Southlander Lisa Henderson and Jo Hicks-Beach, from England.
Then the men sprang into action, starting the season by winning the triangular title from Aorangi and Southland at St Clair in October.
A month later Otago won the South Island teams' title with three wins and a half on the North Otago course in Oamaru.
Finally, Otago's performance in the interprovincial tournament was its best in nearly a decade, the team making the semifinals and finishing with a bronze medal in a tie for third.
He finished with four wins and a half in section play, beating two of New Zealand's top golfers.
Duncan Croudis had a perfect record at No. 2 with seven wins from as many outings and only just lost the player of the tournament award to Wellington's Tom Brockelsby who had eight wins as his team made the final.
The Otago schoolboys team also dominated the other South Island teams, which augurs well for the future of Otago golf.
Several of the factors that have played a role in getting Otago golf back in the winner's circle are:
- The successful amalgamation of Otago men's and women's golf.
- The appointment to Sport Otago of Michael Smith to assist the promotion of junior golf.
- The change in selection policy which has resulted in women's golf placing an accent on youth.
- The appointment of Alan and Murray Rose as the men's selectors and the standards they have put in place.
- The appointment of Millbrook professional Ben Gallie as the team manager and coach and the disciplined structure he has put in place.
- Solid administration policies from the Golf Otago board implemented by executive officer Doug Harradine.
