Two holes on Queenstown’s Frankton golf course are being reshaped to allow the busy BP roundabout to be enlarged.
The project, including bus lanes, means the popular nine-holer is losing its undulating 9th hole, near the present roundabout, and 1st tee alongside State Highway 6.
Also going are the current dog-leg driveway and part of the practice green by the pro shop.
The new 9th green, already grassed, is beside the driving range, meaning the hole reduces from a par 4 to a par 3.
For safety reasons, some of the driving range netting is also being replaced.
The new 1st tee will be close to the pro shop, beside a former chair from The Remarkables skifield’s Shadow Basin chairlift that’s currently being replaced.
The rejigged 1st hole will just be 10m shorter, Frankton Golf Centre manager Jamie McIsaac says, while the new entrance driveway will come off Kawarau Rd closer to the airport runway.
Changes will all take effect mid-next month.
To coincide with the revamp, a fun tournament, the Royale Frankton Open, including a nearest-the-pin competition on every hole, is being held on Good Friday, March 29.
It’s open to all-comers, although McIsaac’s also planning to invite some big guns.
The Frankton Open will also set the new course record.
