By Neville Idour

Sir Michael Hill is “over the moon” that his par three farm course at The Hills in Arrowtown has been listed in the world’s best 25 par three courses by world ranking authority, US Golf Magazine.

Officially opened at last year's centenary New Zealand Open, this outstanding layout adds more mana to the international reputation of The Hills.

The ranking is no mean achievement as the list includes just three courses outside the United States. It is in exalted company with par three layouts at world-renowned courses such as Augusta, Mission Hills, Bandon Dunes, Scottsdale and Pinehurst.

Farm course designer Darius Oliver joins famous names such as Nicklaus, Fazio, Dye, Doak, Hanse, Coore, Crenshaw and Player.

US Golf’s first look at par three courses was compiled by it’s 88 member top 100 courses ranking panel, it’s editors, architects and short course aficionados.

The 25 courses are presently listed in order of oldest to newest but the golf magazine plans to do a proper ranking in the near future.

It is more than likely The Hills farm course will gain a very high ranking, if Bob Charles' opinion is anything to go by.

“Augusta is a special place but the pretty par three course is like firing darts at the green because if you hit the green the ball will end up near the hole,’’ Charles said.

``Whereas the farm course at The Hills is a real test of golf with so much variety and choice of shot required, making it a real challenge.”

Michael Hill’s reaction to the news was understandably elation. After his “over the moon “ reaction he commented: “When you think of the wonderful landform and the gifted architect Darius Oliver it was a recipe for success. In some ways it is a vindication of all the work and that the course was formed, developed and completed by the team here at The Hills, led by our general manager Brendan Allen.”

The assessment by the expert rating panel is effusive. Comments include: “Brilliantly routed to follow the water race … the course sits on dramatic land which provides scintillating views of Queenstown.

``The holes are eminently playable with extensive teeing areas providing extensive options regardless of ability. From the back plates it is a helluva test whilst from the front you can play most holes with a putter. An epic set of greens are punctuated by the natural double green on one and eight which is the biggest putting surface in the southern hemisphere.”

Praise indeed.

The ranking of par three courses simply underscores how popular they have become recently which is certainly the case in the United States. Many of North America’s high end resort courses have cottoned on to the fact that not every golfer needs or wants to play a full length course every time, according to US Golf magazine.

Such courses tend to engender a more relaxed environment, thus should be all about fun, family, friends and inclusiveness. They are the ideal place to enjoy the game no matter one’s age or ability. This is the case at The Hills where the farm course is also perfect for honing one’s short game skills with tee shots of 100 to 200 metres plus from the back tees.