Chance to enjoy the art of golf

The Hills is promoting a ''once-in-a-lifetime'' opportunity to get up close and personal with the sculpture collection of Sir Michael Hill at the venue for the 2013 NZ PGA championship from next week. Photo by James Beech

Sir Michael Hill is throwing open the gates of The Hills for a rare public viewing of his international art collection, as well as to welcome world-class golfers, when his exclusive golf course hosts this year's New Zealand Professional Golfers' Association Championship on February 28 to March 3.

Residents and visitors will be given a chance to see the eerily life-sized 111-piece installation from China, titled The Wolves are Coming,.

While visitors will not be able to wander among the main wolves exhibit, as it will be ''in play'', a pair of the wolves will be moved to flank the entrance of ''The 19th'' entertainment area.

The first installation, at The Hills House, was Schist Strata by New Zealand artist Chris Booth, which was commissioned to reflect the schist and moraine boulder deposits from the substructure of the land around Arrowtown.

Grant William's Untitled sculpture is on the 15th fairway, while on the first tee is The Weta by Mark Hill, based on the artist's childhood experience of turning over a log to find his first weta.

Yellow Construction, by Graham Snowden, comprises six separate geometric forms on the 14th green, while other pieces on display include Max Patte's Solace in the Wind, Paul Dibbles' Through the Gap, Mark Hill's Dragonflies and Grant Palliser's Scribble.

''The 19th'' will feature the finest Central Otago food, wine and entertainment, including a special open-air concert on the Saturday night featuring Arrowtown band the Lynch Mob and young Auckland singer-songwriter Jamie McDell.

Transport from Queenstown and Frankton to the event, courtesy of NZSki, will involve regular services running throughout the four-day tournament, including later services on the Saturday night to cater for the concert.