The next stage of development at Millbrook Resort gets underway next week, with significant improvement and investment at
the driving range.
Intended to cater for increased use of the existing range and prepare for next March’s New Zealand Open, for the first time
being played solely at Millbrook, the $1 million staged development of the driving range will double the available grass hitting
area, to be grown in a sand carpet with drainage, and extend the existing artificial all-weather hitting area on both sides of the
building, increasing capacity from about five spaces to 17.
The access road to the driving range and upper carpark will be asphalt-sealed, while landscape improvements, designed by Baxter Design Group, are also being implemented, and toilet facilities will be added to the driving range building.
The improvements follow the $50m development of the Mill Farm area, completed last year, which included the new Coronet 9, and a $5m-plus infrastructure development, including a renovated golf shop, village centre improvements, a new 1000 square metre putting green, reconfigured tees on the Remarkables No.1 hole, doubling the golf cart fleet, new golf cart storage barns and wash-down facilities.
‘‘We continue to have full confidence in the resort’s long-term future, and the timing couldn’t be better to carry out this work in the build-up to this summer and the 2023 NZ Open in March,’’ Millbrook development and property director Ben O’Malley says.
The work’s expected to be finished early next year — a temporary range will be in use till then, with separate areas for guests and members.
O’Malley says Millbrook’s one of just two courses in NZ offering two distinctly different 18-hole courses, played on alternate days
by members and visitors.
‘‘The new course configuration has been incredibly well received and we have very strong bookings for the upcoming season.
‘‘The area alongside the driving range is zoned for recreational facilities, and we’re considering further improvements such as a golf academy and a potential new tennis centre.’’
