The Cromwell golf course, upgraded by Turner Macpherson golf architects, will receive its first real scrutiny this weekend with a double billing of amateur and professional golf.
Sixty-four amateurs will contest the Central Otago championship today. Brent McEwan (St Clair), Nick Borren (Otago) and Liam Balneaves (Greenacres) will play as the top grouping, at the tail of the field.
On Monday, starting at 2.30pm, three professionals will play an exhibition match to christen the new layout.
Australian professional Peter O'Malley, rookie New Zealand professional Ryan Fox and Otago's most successful golfer, Greg Turner, will entertain what is expected to be a large crowd.
O'Malley has notched eight wins as a professional, three of which have been on the European Tour.
Turner has won 13 professional tournaments, four on the European Tour as well as two New Zealand Open titles.
Fox recently left the amateur ranks after representing New Zealand on several occasions and winning the 2011 New Zealand strokeplay title.
It will be interesting to see how Fox measures up against the two very experienced professionals.
Turner could be favoured with his inside knowledge of the new course, as he had a major role in its reconstruction.
Spectators will be asked to give a gold coin donation to junior golf.
