Otago finished second in division two and will meet defending champion Manawatu-Wanganui this morning, while division two winner Waikato will play Wellington in the other semifinal.
After halving with Taranaki on Thursday, Otago had to beat the local Waikato quintet yesterday morning to ensure getting into the playoffs, but went down 1 to 3.
Fortunately, Canterbury beat the favoured Bay of Plenty team in the morning, throwing Otago a lifeline that was gratefully accepted.
This meant Otago had to beat the SBS-winning Bay team to play today and, in a tight tussle, Otago prevailed 3 to 1.
''Even though we lost to Waikato, our team gained confidence from the way we fought back at the death,'' Otago coach Ben Gallie said.
''When we played the Bay in the afternoon, the players seemed a lot more relaxed and their standard of play lifted.''
In the morning match against a youthful Waikato team, Luke Toomey at No1 and four teenagers, Otago started slowly.
After 12 holes it trailed in all five matches but it finished strongly, putting on the pressure.
Four of the five games finished on the final green. Brent McEwan won one up, Mark Brooks halved and Duncan Croudis and Nick Borren both lost one down.
The afternoon match against Bay of Plenty was in sharp contrast and all matches were close after the first five holes.
Brooks turned two up and romped home for a 5 and 4 win, giving Otago its first win.
It was 1-1 when Hayden Beard outplayed Nick Borren in a match that finished on the 15th green.
In a battle of the No1 golfers, Duncan Croudis was the next player to post a win for Otago with some sub-par golf to beat Charlie Hellier with three holes to spare.
At No3, Brent McEwan came from behind with birdies at the 13th, 15th and 16th holes to beat Sam Davis 2 and 1.
Otago's No2, James Anstiss, also took the lead on the final holes but was robbed of a win when Landyn Edwards birdied the final hole.
McEwan, who will play his 94th game for Otago this morning, is one of three players to emerge from section play with six wins.
He joins Waikato No1 Luke Toomey and Wellington No4 Daniel Hillier in this elusive club.
Depending upon results in the semifinals and finals today, all three must be in line for the Player of the Tournament award.
