Otago Blue is in a commanding position after the first round of the coastal men's pennant series after beating Chisholm Park at Balmacewen by a 4 to 2 margin on Saturday.
The top Balmacewen golfers have a maximum 12 points and 20 games. Otago Blue is well ahead of St Clair (six points and 13.5 games) and Chisholm Park languishes in third place with six points and 13 games.
The top two games in Saturday's clash went in favour of the Chisholm Park golfers.
Otago Blue No1 Brandon Hodgson suffered his first loss of the series, beaten by Phil Bungard after carding a bogey four on the final crossways hole.
Sean Geary posted Chisholm's second win when Otago's Jason Hughes failed to make up an early deficit, losing on the second-last hole.
But the rest of the matches went to Otago, with the middle order winning comfortably.
Michael Smith carded birdies on the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth to lead by three at the turn and win with four holes to spare. Tyrone Ratahi, at No4, downed Conor Jamison by the same margin.
Jamie Anstiss beat Peter Rae on the 16th green, while Luke Murdoch played a par round to beat Park debutant Jason Finnie.
In Oamaru, North Otago edged ahead of Otago Gold with three wins and a half.
Schoolboy Cameron Ryder beat Thomas Gillan in the battle of the No1 players, while North Otago greenkeeper Gary Creedy secured the deciding half against Jeremy Morgan.
North Otago No3 Michael Ormandy chipped in to win on the final hole, while Gary Watling put his team in front with a 3 and 2 win over Murray Edgar.
George Wardell had an impressive win over John Cunningham, and Kris Rush returned to form to beat Paul Velenski on the 17th green.
Otago Blue may be on track for a home final but only beat St Clair (second) and Chisholm Park (third) by 4 to 2 margins. It will meet both these teams on their home courses, which could create an exciting finish.
