New Designer for long proposed Hogan Gully golf course in Arrowtown

11 Feb 2025

Nearly 7 years after resource consent was first applied for, the Hogans Gully golf development near Queenstown has announced a change to its golf course design team. Previously a solo Greg Turner course, the project has now signed up American Gil Hanse to co-design the course with Turner and his associates.

Hogans Gully Golf Resort has been in various stages of development for many years, with the initial resource consent application rejected by local council back in 2019. Developer Sir John Davies appealed to the New Zealand Environment Court, and in 2021 managed to receive planning approval for the development.

That consent included a “signature 18-hole course by Greg Turner, along with a practice facility, 60 residential sections and 16 short-term visitor accommodation units.” At the time, the developer suggested construction of the golf course would begin in 2022.

With golf progress delayed, the decision to add Gil Hanse to the design team has presumably been made to generate greater international attention. Hanse is one of golf’s most prominent modern designers, with projects at various stages of development all over the world.

The Otago Daily Times website broke news of the collaboration in 2024, and included the following:

The world’s most in-demand design firm, Hanse Golf Design based in the United States, will collaborate with New Zealand Golf Hall-of-Famer Greg Turner on an 18-hole course at Hogan Gully, which it plans to open in 2028.

The course is being developed by the family of Queenstown tourism and property heavyweight Sir John Davies on 158.8 hectares off Hogans Gully Rd.

The course, which is yet to be officially named, will be the US company’s first New Zealand project and it is believed to be its first collaboration.

Mr Hanse described Hogan Gully as "one of the most unique and interesting inland sites for golf that we have ever seen".

"We are looking forward to contributing to the team, and working with Greg on capitalising on all the natural potential in the site.

"I can’t wait to spend more time in New Zealand.”

Turner, who is behind the new nine-hole Gibbston Valley Resort course and previously designed Millbrook Resort’s Coronet 9, said he was humbled and "delighted" to work alongside Mr Hanse.

New Zealand architect Andrew Patterson has designed the clubhouse, along with another building near the driving range.

There will also be 55 homes within the development, comprising short-stay and residential accommodation.