After a two-year, $1 million redevelopment, the Cromwell Golf Course was officially reopened on Saturday.
Top New Zealand golfer and course designer Greg Turner and America's Cup-winning sailor Sir Russell Coutts were among the first to tee off, followed by about 90 others.
Club manager Graham Mercer said the feedback from players on Saturday was "superb".
Though the course had not been completely out of action over the past two years, 11 of the 18 holes had been revamped. Mr Mercer said the project involved lengthening the course to bring it up to international standard in a bid to attract international players.
The Cromwell Community Board gave $700,000 to the project and club members raised the remaining $300,000.