"We're working through what we can do for a tournament - an alternative to the New Zealand Open," the new general manager of The Hills, Ian Douglas, said.
"We've lost that and whether that's permanent, we don't know, so we've got to carry on and do something else.
"We're hoping for next year, and eventually we'd be looking at attracting big stars, but we'd start small on the way up."
Formerly the exclusive 100-member club's green keeper, Mr Douglas spent 30 years working outdoors on golf courses, including neighbouring Millbrook, and is now getting used to working inside.
Mr Douglas has known his employer - Sir Michael Hill - for about 15 years but said the knighthood had not changed him.
"Nothing's changed. He's still the same guy."
Mr Douglas, who took over the position from Sam Gent in April, said it was a matter of adjusting not only to more indoor work but to how the team around him operated.
"It's a completely new role so I'll grow into it. I'm just fitting in to how the team works. My job, as Michael says, is to be the coach.
"I'm enjoying it and it's a good challenge. I've just got to work my way through the job. After working outside for 30 years, coming inside is new to me."
Of course, one of those challenges will be helping create a signature international competition at The Hills which will benefit Arrowtown and the wider Queenstown community, he said.
Meanwhile, the course is gearing up to host some of the best amateurs in the world to contest the Four Nations Cup, which will be played from October 13 to 16.
The Four Nations is a new event on the international golf calendar, and brings together the four best male amateurs from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.
