The development has an estimated cost of $45 million and has been three years in the planning. In 2014 the Overseas Investment Office approved Millbrook's purchase of 67 hectares of the former Dalgleish farm land on its western boundary.
Two years of discussions followed to sort out zoning and some ecological and landscape enhancements. Once the new golf course is constructed and established, the aim is for it to be in use by the 2021-22 summer.
"The thought is that people will stay an extra day if there is a second 18 holes to play," Turner said.
"I'd heard through the grapevine almost 10 years back that they were talking about a new nine [the Coronet holes]. I approached Mr Ishii and said I'd love to be involved.
"That was early in my design career and I'm grateful he put faith in me."
Turner said golf has transformed the region into a summer as much as winter resort. The oversized baggage counter at the airport now contains as many golf clubs as skis and snowboards.
Last year Golf Tourism New Zealand estimated the sport creates tourism in excess of $300 million per year, more than double what it was four years ago.
"That shows golfers love to travel to beautiful environments as well as doing stuff like jumping off bridges, walking up rivers and visiting wineries," Turner said.
"They're good tourists because they leave lots of money behind."
Turner estimates 60 per cent of New Zealand's "international" rounds are played in Queenstown.
"They talk about golf being a good walk spoiled, but it's not if you can focus people on the surroundings, and in Queenstown you've got the advantage of 360-degree views.
"Golf's got to be fun. You can make it hard or easy but the great courses challenge the elite player and don't beat up the novice - that means being able to find your ball okay."
