Greg Turner can't wait to see how golfers at the New Zealand Open adapt to playing over two courses.
The revived Open starts in Arrowtown next Thursday, with the field split between The Hills and Millbrook over the first two rounds.
It is unknown territory for the tournament, although Turner - who will play on an invite - has some insight, given he has not only played both regularly but had a lead role in redesigning Millbrook.
''It will be really interesting to see. I'll be fascinated to see if there's any significant difference in scoring,'' Turner told the Otago Daily Times.
''Millbrook is probably a longer course off the back tees at the two nines they're playing.
''Fundamentally, it's not a massive difference. They've got similar grasses, and the weather's going to be the same. It just adds another degree of complexity. You've got to get to know two courses instead of one.
''Most of the guys won't have played much at Millbrook before, so that will be a challenge in and of itself.''
The Hills hosted the Open in 2007, 2009 and 2010, and has been the base for the New Zealand PGA the past two years.
There was no doubt the course was maturing, Turner said.
''I think it's getting better every year, both in terms of its condition and understanding its strengths and weaknesses.
''Greens used to go from soft to really hard quite quickly. So it was a vastly different course from morning to afternoon.
''The topdressing that's gone on over the last 3-4 years has sort of alleviated that.
''The ground retains its consistency a bit more, and that has made a difference in the playability of the course.''
Turner is confident the Open, returning to Arrowtown for the first time in four years and embracing a pro-am format, will be a success.
''I just think there's a real buzz about it. People have got their head around the format, and there's a prestigious title at stake.''
Turner may have his son, Jack, carrying his bag next week. His brother, Brian, is set to again perform caddying duties for Australian stalwart Peter Fowler.
In his other role of course designer, Turner was at Royal Wellington recently. He played a round there, and at Paraparaumu, and is happy enough with his game.
''It's a fine line to walk between being prepared and not being physically buggered. You can over-train at this age.''
Turner, who turns 51 tomorrow, made his return to competitive golf last year. He is mulling over whether to head back to the United States for a few tournaments, but will definitely start in the Senior British Open at Royal Porthcawl, Wales, in July.
His golf design team has just finished a major reconstruction of nine holes at the Russley course, in Christchurch. Turner has also been involved with the extension of yachting great Sir Russell Coutts' nine-hole course on the Crown Terrace.
