New Coronet nine gets the plaudits

Caption: Coronet Peak provides a stunning backdrop to a par five hole of the new Coronet course at Millbrook.

By Neville Idour.

The new Coronet nine holes at Millbrook recently had it’s first full workout when members were given the opportunity to play them.

The reactions were variously wow and wow. Greg Turner, the co-designer, was pleased to see the completion of the project and the smiling faces of the many who played.

This writer is not one bit surprised at the reactions having been privileged to walk the course with Turner before opening. The natural landscape is outstanding and the views breathtaking. It adds another perspective to the wonderful views and natural wonders at The Hills, Jack’s Point and Queenstown Golf Club at Kelvin Heights, also not forgetting Arrowtown.

For golfers the area is nothing short of a golf wonderland. So the new nine completes what began 15 years ago for Turner when he designed the initial Coronet nine.

The resort will now have two 18-hole courses, Remarkables and Coronet. The Coronet course will be the championship course. When Coronet is opened later in the year the two courses will open for play on alternate days. One day for the public and the next day for members and vice versa.

Many of the members who played the new nine were gushing in their praise.

One said: “As long as golfers play from the tees their handicaps dictate it will be playable, if still challenging.”

Every hole is completely different, adding to the appeal. The par five which follows a canyon, a little like the 17th at The Hills, really is a hole like few other par fives in the country and it should be a delight to embrace the challenge. It offers options for the tee shot and the second shot.

The new nine will become holes six to 14 as part of the Coronet 18. They are a challenging walk for the less able and so for many, carts will be the sensible option when the course opens for the public, probably in December.

Michael Glading, the New Zealand Open tournament director, and New Zealand golf legend Bob Charles both thoroughly enjoyed the course saying it was outstanding, but both agreed that a cart would be their choice next time. —