Queenstown (Kelvin Heights)

The most photographed view of Queenstown is the one from the top of the gondola (reputed to be the steepest lift in the Southern Hemisphere), looking down on the town and Lake Wakatipu, with the saw-tooth Remarkables Mountains providing the abrupt horizon. If you simply put ‘Queenstown’ in Google Images, you’ll see that half the search results show this same view. Well, the triangular peninsula in centre shot is Queenstown Golf Club, and that should tell you all you need to know about the splendour of its location.

Queenstown Golf Club was first formed in 1927, with the original layout located a few miles away in Frankton, where there's currently a 9-hole course (called Frankton) and a covered driving range. It was not until 1973 that the club moved to its current home, the Kelvin Heights golf course, situated on the peninsula next to the rather affluent neighbourhood of the same name. The Hensman and Grant families designed the new course, with advice from Commander John Harris (who had just completed work on Wairakei International at that time).

At 6,674yds (6,103m) off the back tees, Kelvin Heights is not long by modern-day standards, and considering how it is surrounded on all sides by water, it is perhaps surprising that the lake only really comes into play on one hole – but what a hole it is. The 5th curves majestically round to the left, with Lake Wakatipu looming, waiting to swallow any hook or pull off the tee. Photos of this hole often make it look rather flat, but up close and in person, the visitor will find it is actually contoured rather beautifully.

The course currently hosts an event on the Australian PGA Legends Tour, the Club Car Queenstown Legends Pro-Am.