Three years ago, the resort's Japanese owners, headed by Eichii Ishii, forged ahead with a $30 million investment in a covered driving range converted from a former woolshed, a new nine-hole golf course known as the Coronet Nine, extensive upgrades to the 18-hole championship-standard golf course, and housing development in the western extension of the resort, Millbrook director of golf Brian Spicer said.
"Now, more international and Kiwi golfers ... are making their way to Queenstown to try their luck on the newly structured, award-winning, 27-hole configuration," he said.
"The resort has clocked up a major increase in golf bookings over the past two years, as golf enthusiasts put their handicaps to the test over its challenging three interchangeable nines operation," Mr Spicer said.
Over summer 2010-11 (October 1 to February 28), the number of rounds recorded was 137 % of the same period the previous summer, which was itself up considerably on the previous year - on the original 18-hole course, he said.
Mr Spicer puts the success largely down to the Greg Turner-designed Coronet Nine expansion and said the Ishii family's investment had been a key factor in Millbrook's golf success story.
"The Ishiis' vision and investment in the golf course, its development and facilities was a strategic move to place Millbrook and Central Otago as a world-class golfing destination in Australasia," he said.
"The three nines create a varied diet of golf and a combination that only a small handful of courses in the country offer, and as a result it's paid off. More golf-specific visitors are coming here from overseas to enjoy a greater variety of golf on offer at Millbrook and other nearby courses.
"It's very pleasing to see the golf side of the resort is now excelling in its own right and that's brought great value to the local and national economy," Mr Spicer said.
Millbrook was named New Zealand and Australia's leading golf resort at the World Travel Awards last year.
Destination Queenstown chief executive Tony Everitt said Millbrook's investment in its facilities had enhanced Queenstown's growing reputation as an internationally renowned golf destination.
Millbrook's driving range and newly developed 27-hole course had given keen golfers another incentive to head to Queenstown to experience its combination of world-class golf facilities and spectacular alpine scenery, he said.
"Golf tourism is an important and growing market for the region.
"With six diverse golf courses in the vicinity, from the exclusive Hills course, Millbrook and spectacular Jacks Point, to local favourites Kelvin Heights, Arrowtown and a driving range and nine-hole course in Frankton, every level of golfer is catered for.
"While there has been a significant increase in the number of rounds played over the past couple of years at Millbrook, there has also been a strong increase in the number of golfers staying at the resort while playing in the area," Mr Everitt said.
"As the only course in the area with accommodation, we have benefited from increased numbers of visitors, mainly on direct flights from Auckland and Australia's east coast, who are looking for quality accommodation in a golfing environment," Mr Spicer said.
