The first board meeting of the amalgamated provincial golf administration was held at Sport Otago yesterday.
The old Otago Women's District Golf Association was formed 51 years ago and changed its name to Golf Otago in 2000.
The men's administration was formed 60 years ago and was known as the Otago Provincial Golf Association until 2003, when it was also changed to Golf Otago.
The men's and the women's boards were given a strong push by Sparc to co-habit and they agreed to do so two years ago.
It has been a long engagement ironing out details before the two separate organisations exchanged rings.
The new board of Golf Otago is spread around the province, with the three key positions held by administrators from country districts.
President Richard Davison (62) is a member of the Heriot Club, vice-president Judy Muir is from Wanaka and chief executive Doug Harradine (56) is from Cromwell.
"Having just one body controlling all Otago golf will make it easier to access sponsorship money and get financial backing from Sparc," Davison said.
One of the issues holding up amalgamation was the amount of levies payable by registered club members.
"The women paid a lot less than the men and we had to bring that into line," Davison said.
The men have one more board member than the women because they have an extra district.
Both men and women have delegates from South Otago, North Otago, Central Otago. and Dunedin. The North Otago women's section is part of the Aorangi region.
Davison, who owns a property business, has been involved with administering golf since 1972 and provincial golf for the past seven years.
Muir has played golf at Wanaka since 1980 and the highlight of her playing career was a round of 73 at Arrowtown.
She has been involved with administration since 1987 and is a life member of the Wanaka Club and Central Otago Golf. She has been an Otago provincial selector.
Harradine, a retired police constable, started playing golf at Waitaki Boys' High School and represented the New Zealand Services from 1980-92.
• Golf Otago - First amalgamated board
Richard Davison (Heriot, president), Judy Muir (Wanaka, vice-president), Doug Harradine (Cromwell, chief executive), Alistair Hinsley (Chisholm Park), Warren Jamieson (North Otago), Robbie Freer (Queenstown), Glenys Rowley (St Clair), Jenny Ritchie (Clinton).
