Upper Clutha Rugby Club secretary Kate Dowling took the photograph from the roof of the team's club rooms at the Wanaka showgrounds.
She had climbed there using a ladder from the changing rooms and sat on the roof for two hours during the Upper Clutha senior reserve team's final game of the 2010 season, against Wakatipu.
As part of the prize package, the ORFU was given $7000 by the airport company.
Edgar said the money would help set the union on a new course.
"It's been a year of change with the new board working very hard to set things straight.
"Wayne Graham and Laurie Mains have done a very good job but you don't turn the Titanic around in six months."
Christchurch Airport chief executive Jim Boult said the competition was to pick the most scenic rugby ground in the South Island, and all of the images would be on display at the international airport before next year's Rugby World Cup.
Boult said 81 entries were received from across the South Island, with some worthy of "marks for originality".
One such image depicted a group of naked rugby players from Christchurch, he said.
"The girls in marketing have got that one up on the wall."
Dowling said she would use the $1000 prize money given to her to "hopefully get part of a lovely new lens" for her camera ahead of the Upper Clutha's 2011 season, while the $2000 for the club would go into its coffers.
"It will help out. We're obviously not hugely financial."
