Courses / Queenstown
The Hills
The Hills is currently undergoing a remodel led by OCM. Positioned in a glacial valley near Arrowtown, it has long been characterised by scale and elevation.
The work retains much of the existing routing while introducing refinements to width, green complexes and strategic intent. The redevelopment is being undertaken in partnership with the ownership behind Tara Iti, with the aim of establishing a high-end private club within the Arrowtown basin.
Given OCM’s recent work at Peninsula Kingswood and Medinah, anticipation is high as the project progresses.
The proposed OCM Golf routing illustrates the scale of the redevelopment planned for The Hills. Existing holes will be rerouted and rebuilt, with new golf introduced and shorter green-to-tee transitions creating a more natural walking course.
Max Patté’s five Clydesdale horses, collectively titled ‘The Frolic and the Fancy’, stand among the knee-high fescue encountered around the existing par-three eighth.
Chinese artist Liu Ruowang travelled to The Hills to install ‘The Wolves Are Coming’, personally positioning 110 cast-iron wolves around a lone warrior. He chose this setting beside the 18th fairway instead of the location originally prepared for the work. The collection of sculptures will remain integral to The Hills through the redevelopment, although how each installation is incorporated into the new routing remains to be seen.
A feature of the 6596 metre (7213 yard) par 72 championship course with 360-degree views of spectacular snow-capped mountain scenery are the distinctive sculptures crafted by New Zealand artists to complement the natural beauty of the course’s lakes, waterways and wetland areas.