14 | REGIONAL Gibbston Valley T T Kim Bowden Gibbston finds its golfing groove T T to page 16 Gibbston Valley has added another piece to its tourism offering, with the opening of its nine-hole golf course and clubhouse in March. The course, set above the Kawarau River, has been designed around a simple idea: give people a way to play golf without giving up half a day. Designer and former professional golfer Greg Turner says that shift reflects where the game is heading. “I think this shorter form golf has a real future where you have all of the quality and fun of the long form of the game but in a format that doesn’t take up so much time.” The par 32 course can be completed in under two hours. Director of golf Jesus Santos says the format responds to a change in how people want to spend their time. “Most people want to play golf, but they don’t want to be away from their families all day,” he says. “Here, people can play nine, have lunch with a glass of wine, and then be back with their families for the rest of the day.” The opening, timed to coincide with the New Zealand Open in late February, puts the course into a competitive local market. Queenstown already has a strong reputation as a golf destination, with a number of established courses and more developments underway. Gibbston Valley’s approach is to offer something different, rather than more of the same. The shorter format, combined with its location and existing visitor infrastructure, positions it as an option for those looking to fit golf into a broader day out. The clubhouse, designed by Condon Scott Architects and constructed by Lakeside Design and Build, with interiors by Space Studios, includes a restaurant, gym, jacuzzi, heated pool and pro shop. The course and clubhouse sit within the wider Gibbston Valley precinct, alongside its established lodge, winery cellar door and wine cave, and award-winning spa. Executive managing director Cristina Griffith says the focus was on creating something that worked as a complete visit, rather than a standalone activity. “We’ve focused on creating a vibrant hospitality experience, best enjoyed after a round of the great game,” she says. The golf course has been a long-held dream for the family-run business. “The idea has been floating around our family conversations for more than a decade,” Christina says.
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