KEY POINTS:
John Griffin is known by some as a "John of all trades" in golfing circles.
It's an entirely suitable moniker for an allrounder who coaches leading New Zealand professionals Phil Tataurangi and Steve Alker while keeping a smile on the face of his bank manager by helping develop a number of quality courses.
He was the director of golf at Millbrook near Queenstown for 10 years before crossing the road to don the general manager's cap at The Hills Golf Club, Michael Hill's stunning private course which hosts the New Zealand Open for the first time starting tomorrow.
Griffin keeps himself busy, also working in a consultancy role at Clearwater in Christchurch - home of the New Zealand PGA Championship - while finding time to lend a knowledgeable hand to the ongoing development of another Queenstown golfing treat at Jacks Point, which hugs Lake Wakatipu.
For this week at least Griffin will be fully occupied at The Hills, a magnificent 6610m, par-72 course which he knows will justify its role hosting the 90th New Zealand Open.
Like jewellery magnate Hill, Griffin is convinced the John Darby-designed course will prove a treat for players and spectators alike.
He said the tight layout would reward or punish players depending on their accuracy in both direction and club selection, but he thought spectators would get value for their money either way.
Griffin tips a winning championship score of close to 12-under come Sunday.
"Obviously if it gets incredibly windy and we strike a bad week's weather then that could turn out entirely differently," he said.
"It would be good if someone can go nice and low, which always adds to the event and I think the course will certainly do that for someone who is on his game.
"The greens will be running fast, but not too fast, which will keep them in play.
"I think you'll see someone winning with a tournament score of 10 to 12-under. I think 12-under would be a pretty darn good score over four days.
"It would mean people get to see a few birdies with the odd bogey thrown in. It's not the type of score which suggests the course is so hard that players don't have a chance."
The undulating topography and sensitive course design, plus the stunning scenery of a locality dwarfed by the nearby Remarkables and Coronet Peak on the outskirts of Arrowtown, are set to captivate spectators.
"I think the spectators are in for a great time, watching the golf and walking the course. It will be a great walk for them," Griffin said.
Darby, the course architect, has stayed true to the original landscape, carefully designing a layout which makes the most of its rugged, natural surrounds, and offering the added bonus of numerous vantage points for spectators.
Behind and above the 11th tee will be a particularly popular spot because from there no fewer than 10 greens can be viewed at varying distances, while there are plenty of spots where the progress at multiple holes can be monitored.
Hill has restricted entry to his course, which was five years in the making, allowing in only a select few to sample the latest addition to New Zealand's golfing landscape.
It has helped build a sense of anticipation heading into the $1.5 million championship and by the end of this week a good portion of the nation will know what all the noise has been about.
- NZPA
