Media Release from ISPS Handa New Zealand Open

Organisers believe a reconfigured Millbrook Resort will provide an exciting finish to the upcoming ISPS Handa New Zealand Open in Queenstown.

Millbrook Resort, which comprises three nine-hole configurations, is the tournament co-host for the 93^rd ISPS Handa New Zealand Open on 9-12 March.

Two signature holes from the Coronet Nine and the Arrow Nine have been combined as the finishing holes, to maximise the atmosphere created by the amphitheatre surrounding the Millhouse Restaurant.

“The new layout will create a superb finish and ensure a spectacular spectator experience,” said Millbrook Resort’s Brian Spicer.

The tournament organisers have turned the current final hole of the Coronet Nine to the 17^th hole, to be followed by the finishing 18th hole which is the current 9^th hole on the Arrow Course.

“We will finish with a reachable par-5 over water as the 17^th and a par-3 which is virtually surrounded by water as the 18^th, which should add drama to the conclusion,” said Mr Spicer.

“The 18th hole is a relatively straight-forward par-3 but in a tournament like this, you never can tell. It all came down to the last few holes at The Hills last year, proving anything can happen at the close of a tournament.

“It has the potential to be an eagle-3 and birdie-2 finish or dependant on conditions and the situation, it can just as easily be a bogey-6 and double bogey-5. The nerves could tell.”

The first two days of the tournament will be played on both Millbrook Resort and The Hills, with the final two rounds at Millbrook Resort.

Tournament Director Michael Glading is delighted with the course layout plans for the 93^rd ISPS Handa New Zealand Open.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have two great courses to showcase our National Open, and look forward to an exciting event,” he said.

“The configuration of the final two holes at Millbrook Resort will bring new drama to the event.

“The 18th hole at The Hills has been pivotal to the final showdown in previous years, and we’re confident that by creating two climatic holes we’ll add a real sense of theatre this year.”

Two New Zealand Open champions, who won the Brodie Breeze Trophy six times between them, were master-minds of Millbrook Resort’s layout. The original 18-hole course was designed in 1993 by golfing legend Sir Bob Charles, a four-time New Zealand Open winner.

Local Queenstown former professional Greg Turner, the 1989 and 1997 Open champion, designed the Coronet Nine in 2009 and remodelled the existing 18-hole course.

The ISPS Handa New Zealand Open is a NZ$1 million Tier One event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour. The 2017 event will be played in Queenstown at Millbrook Resort and The Hills on 9-12 March.

Click here to visit ISPS Handa New Zealand Open’s website.

Photo caption:

1/ 18^th hole for 2017 ISPS Handa New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort Queenstown