KEY POINTS:
Jewellery magnate Michael Hill's "humble golf course" at Arrowtown is in the running to host the New Zealand Open, an event he says could draw a worldwide TV audience of 200 million.
Mr Hill confirmed yesterday that his private course - named The Hills but dubbed "Hillbrook" by some - was competing to host the November 29 to December 2 event.
The 18-hole course, spread over 160ha on Mr Hill's property opposite Millbrook Resort, is up against up to 10 other contenders around the country.
"If it was here, it has the potential for 200 million viewers on television for 21 hours," Mr Hill said. "We will keep our fingers crossed because it would be the most amazing thing for the district."
New Zealand Golf chairman Philip Hassall said a decision on hosting rights was expected on April 26.
Mr Hassall, who had only seen photographs of the course, said it appeared to be a "spectacular venue" and confirmed that open promoter Bob Tuohy had made a flying visit to Queenstown to inspect it.
The open had not been held in the South Island for more than a decade, something he said New Zealand Golf was keen to rectify.
Queenstown golf professional Greg Turner, who has walked and played parts of the course, said its undulating topography meant vantage points for spectators would be among the best in the country and it provided "a stern test of golf".
But the biggest test would be whether it was economically viable to hold the event in Arrowtown.
Hosting the event would fulfil a childhood dream of Mr Hill's. As a young boy, he mowed an 18-hole putting course around his mother's house and charged the other children to play it.
Construction of the course began five years ago when Mr Hill sold $6 million of shares to pay for the project.
- Otago Daily Times
