Case Study: The Hills, Arrowtown

Architect & Project Manager: Darby Partners

Michael Hill’s private course, the venue for the New Zealand Open for the last 3 years, is set in 250 glorious acres on outskirts of Arrowtown in Central Otago. The course originally started out with 3 holes but then, thankfully for the Open players and spectators, Michael Hill decided to keep adding to the course. With the Remarkables as a backdrop, and the course and clubhouse purpose built to enhance the natural environment, The Hills is one of the most impressive golf courses in New Zealand.

• Irrigation system designed by Parkland’s design engineers
• Installation commenced March 2002 and was completed in January 2005
• PGA quality construction
• Venue of New Zealand Open for the last 3 years
• There are 862 sprinklers around the course:
  • Toro 765 back to back sprinklers around greens, bunkers are also irrigated with 765s
  • Toro 754 sprinklers on fairways
  • Toro 765 and 725 part circle sprinklers on tees
• Water source is the Arrow irrigation scheme
• Otterbine aerators were installed in 3 lakes around the course