A totally unique golf experience, The Hills blends a championship golf course, award-winning facilities and a multi-million dollar sculpture park into one of the most beautiful settings in the world.
The Hills is named for Kiwi millionaire and jewellery baron, Sir Michael Hill. Designed by Darby Partners and opened in 2007 to host the New Zealand Open, the course is set over 500 acres across a glacial valley. The layout highlights the dramatic elevation changes and rocky schist outcrops, wetlands and tussocks that are a feature of the area.
This championship layout provides a serious challenge for accomplished players, while thoughtful design means that the golf course is equally enjoyable for golfers of all abilities. The scenery is outstanding across the course, but the final two holes are especially impressive. The 17th, the Hills’ signature hole, is a dogleg right par five, that requires play through a narrow canyon. The 18th, which bring the Andrew Patterson designed clubhouse into view, has arguably the most spectacular sculpture installation, ‘The Wolves are Coming,’ to the right of the fairway. The Wolves is the work of Chinese artist Liu Ruowang from the 798 Art District in Beijing.
The beauty of the course’s lakes, waterways and wetland areas are complimented by an array of other sculptures made by local and international artists.
A keen patron of the arts, Sir Michael has created this contemporary sculpture park to house a diverse range of works and at any time there are around a dozen sculptures on the property.
The par 72 course offers four sets of tees ranging from 5,193 – 6,563 metres, along with distance guides to help you around the course. The clubhouse is a sophisticated bunker designed to seamlessly integrate with the landscape, with less than a quarter of it set above ground. The innovative roof is topped with native tussock and the large floor to ceiling windows and covered deck provide a grandstand view of the 18th green.
On-site, the Lodge at The Hills has impressive luxury accommodation, offering exclusive experiences for up to 12 guests. And, if The Hills needed any more reasons to visit, it is enhanced by close proximity to Millbrook Resort less than five minutes away, and Jacks Point, around 20 minutes by car.