Tag: New Zealand

OCM design team to renovate The Hills as New Zealand heavyweights form new partnership

The founders of Te Arai Links, Tara Iti join forces with business magnate on The Hills.

The developers of highly ranked Te Arai Links and Tara Iti golf clubs in New Zealand announced this week that they will partner with the owners of The Hills course near Arrowtown to redevelop the property.

The design team of Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Cocking and Ashley Mead – OCM – will rebuild the course. Plans also include the introduction of a golf training facility, fitness center, on-site accommodations, luxurious real estate and a remodel of the clubhouse.

The Hills was opened in 2007 by Sir Michael Hill, one of the most successful businessmen in New Zealand. The course was designed by Darby Partners and included a nine-hole par-3 course designed by Darius Oliver in 2019. The main course is notable for its inclusion of sculptures around the course, which will remain throughout the renovation.

Jim Rohrstaff and Ric Kayne, the developers of Tara Iti and Te Arai, will partner with Hill and his daughter, Emma Hill, on the work at The Hills.

The Hills New Zealand
Ric Kayne, Jim Rohrstaff, Emma Hill and Sir Michael Hill at The Hills (Courtesy of The Hills)

The private Tara Iti in Mangawhai was designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2015, and it ties for No. 9 on Golfweek’s Best list of top courses outside the U.S. The South Course at the resort-based Te Arai Links just down the beach from Tara Iti was designed by the team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in 2022, and it ties for No. 23 on the list of best international courses. Doak also designed a course at Te Arai, the North, which should appear on the list of top international courses as soon as it receives enough votes.

As with Tara Iti, The Hills will be redeveloped as a high-end equity club with limited membership. The renovations, including a new routing, will take place over to the winters of 2026 and 2027, and the project should be completed in 2028.

OCM has been busy of late with a rapidly expanding portfolio of international work, having recently completed a redesign of Medinah No. 3 in Illinois. Based near Melbourne, Australia, the firm has done renovation work to such Sandbelt stalwarts as Kingston Heath, Peninsula Kingswood and Victoria. The team also renovated Shady Oaks in Texas, longtime home of Ben Hogan, and it also has a new course named Tepetonka Club under construction in Minnesota in partnership with broadcaster Jim Nantz.

Check out a selection of photos of The Hills as it currently sits, including two architectural sketches that show what the OCM design team have in mind.

Angel City defender Riley admits current injury could end career

The veteran defender has played in four Olympics and five World Cups

Angel City FC defender Ali Riley has admitted that her current nerve injury may prevent her from ever playing professionally again.

Riley, 36, has not played for Angel City since April, with her most recent appearance of any kind coming in a May friendly with New Zealand.

Ahead of the Olympics, New Zealand announced that Riley had been withdrawn from the roster for the tournament in France, taking away her chance to play at a fifth Olympics.

After she was ruled out for the Olympics, Riley posted a message on Instagram detailing her injury.

“For the past seven months I’ve been struggling with a nerve injury,” she said. “It’s been frustrating, confusing, and excruciatingly painful in a way that’s hard to describe. The Ferns & ACFC medical and performance staff did everything possible to get me healthy for this Olympics (rehab, injections, strength, conditioning, treatment, medication, more injections) and I am so grateful to all of them.

“During this camp there have been bad days along with the good, and due to the unpredictable nature of this injury my coach decided that it would be best for the team to withdraw me completely from the squad.”

Over the weekend, Riley did a Q&A with a local organization for girls in sports and admitted that she may have played her final game.

“Who I am is not just a soccer player,” Riley said. “What I’ve learned from being a soccer player has made me who I am, but my identity goes so much beyond what I can do on a soccer field.

“And so in those dark, dark moments when I was like, ‘Can I get back?’ I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t run, and then even now, when I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to play soccer again. That’s the reality of the injury I have right now.”

Riley has been capped 162 times by New Zealand and has featured in five World Cups.

The defender began her pro career in WPS with FC Gold Pride in 2010, and has gone on to play in Norway, England and Germany along with the NWSL.

After her comments spread, Riley would later post a message on X insisting that she isn’t ready to throw in the towel yet.

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Karim Lopez on NBL: ‘I feel like it’s the best path for me’

The New Zealand Breakers recently signed 17-year-old Mexican forward Karim Lopez as part of the NBL’s Rising Stars program. The 6-foot-7 Lopez, an up-and-coming player from a strong international basketball background, will bring versatility and …

The New Zealand Breakers recently signed 17-year-old Mexican forward Karim Lopez as part of the NBL’s Rising Stars program. The 6-foot-7 Lopez, an up-and-coming player from a strong international basketball background, will bring versatility and size to the Breakers.

As the son of former Mexican basketball player Jesus “Chino” Lopez, Karim Lopez has already made his mark across various leagues. He most recently showcased his skills in Spain’s Liga Endesa, where he gained valuable experience despite limited playing time. This past week, Lopez participated in Under Armour’s Elite 24 camp in Brooklyn, New York, where he stood out among top high school recruits, finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds in the final game.

Lopez has also gained international experience by representing Mexico’s senior National Team and previously contributed to the U22 National Team. At the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he averaged 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Lopez spoke with HoopsHype after the UA scrimmage to discuss his decision to join the NBL, his playstyle, expectations, background and more.

New Zealand’s women’s rugby team performed an exhilarating Haka after their gold medal win

New Zealand celebrated their women’s rugby gold with an electric Haka performance.

New Zealand’s women’s rugby team defended its gold medal in rugby sevens at the 2024 Paris Olympics and celebrated with a thrilling Haka.

On Tuesday, after New Zealand bested Canada 19-12 in the final and they received their gold medals, the entire team performed the Haka — a traditional Māori ceremonial dance. The dance has become more well known in the sports world for its use before games and after victories by New Zealand in rugby.

This rendition by New Zealand’s women’s rugby sevens team was quite electric, and the fans in Paris were treated to a thrilling show after the gold medal match.

New Zealand vs. USMNT: How to watch Olympics, TV channel, live stream

It’s now or never for the U.S. men at the Olympics.

It’s now or never for the U.S. men at the Olympics.

Marko Mitrović’s under-23 side opened the Olympics with a 3-0 loss against host nation France, making Saturday’s game with New Zealand absolutely vital.

Defeat would eliminate the U.S., while a draw would leave it needing a win and help on the final day of group play.

Though the U.S. ended up falling to a heavy defeat against France, Mitrović’s side will take encouragement from a strong performance against one of the pre-tournament favorites.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Olympic soccer on Peacock” link=”https://imp.i305175.net/Y9vDoJ”]

New Zealand kicked off the competition with a 2-1 win over Guinea, putting the Kiwis in good shape early in group play.

The top two teams in Group A will advance to the quarterfinal, where teams will be just one win away from playing for a medal.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

New Zealand vs. USA (Olympic men’s soccer)

  • When: Saturday, July 27
  • Where: Stade Vélodrome (Marseille, France)
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: USA Network, Telemundo, Peacock (WATCH NOW)

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Canada tries to contain fallout of Olympic spying scandal

Canada has admitted to a second spying incident

Canada’s Olympic women’s soccer team seems to be aware it could face some real consequences for spying on New Zealand’s team with a drone.

On Tuesday, the New Zealand Olympic committee publicly accused Canada of using a drone to spy on a training session on July 22. New Zealand reported the incident to local police, who detained a staff member of the Canadian team.

In response, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) issued an apology for the behavior of “a non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team.”

One day later, the COC said that a second spying incident had come to light, this one having taken place on July 19.

As a result, the COC took action. First it sent home Joseph Lombardi, an “unaccredited analyst” and assistant coach Jasmine Mander, who oversees Lombardi.

Canada coach Bev Priestman has voluntarily removed herself from coaching the team’s opening match of the tournament, which takes place Thursday against New Zealand.

The COC also said Canada Soccer staff would undergo “mandatory ethics training.”

In a COC statement, Priestman apologized and took responsibility for the actions of two of her staff members.

“On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada,” Priestman said. “This does not represent the values that our team stands for.

“I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program. Accordingly, to emphasize our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday. In the spirit of accountability, I do this with the interests of both teams in mind and to ensure everyone feels that the sportsmanship of this game is upheld.”

Canada is the defending gold medalist, having defeated Sweden in the Olympic final in Japan in 2021.

The New Zealand Olympic committee has filed a complaint with the International Olympic Committee, and the COC said it would continue to review the matter and would take further action if needed. FIFA also announced that it has opened disciplinary proceedings against Canada.

In other words, this story is far from over.

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New Zealand: Canada used drone to spy on training before Olympic opener

The Olympics haven’t even kicked off, and Canada is embroiled in a spying scandal

Canada badly wants to defend its Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer, and is apparently willing to get into some murky territory to do so.

On Tuesday, the New Zealand Olympic committee publicly accused Canada of flying a drone over a training session in France, saying it was “deeply shocked and disappointed” by the incident. Canada and New Zealand will face off on Thursday in Saint-Étienne, one of two opening games in the women’s soccer competition.

“On July 22, a drone was flown over the New Zealand women’s football team training session,” read New Zealand’s statement on the matter.

“Team support members immediately reported the incident to police, leading to the drone operator, who has been identified as a support staff member of the wider Canadian Women’s football team, to be detained.

“The NZOC has formally lodged the incident with the IOC integrity unit and has asked Canada for a full review. Team Canada has issued an apology and is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Canada apologizes over drone accusation

Later on Tuesday, the Canadian Olympic Committee offered up a statement of its own, admitting that “a non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team was detained by French authorities in Saint-Étienne following a complaint by New Zealand Football on July 22nd.

“The staff member is believed to have been using a drone to record the New Zealand women’s football team during practice.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for fair play and we are shocked and disappointed. We offer our heartfelt apologies to New Zealand Football, to all the players affected, and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.”

The nature of the incident has no real Olympic parallels, and any future punishment is unclear. FIFA and the International Olympic Committee both have some degree of control over the situation, while French police — having detained the staffer involved — may also play a major factor in the process.

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The Jesse Marsch vs. USMNT showdown is coming in September

The USMNT will face Canada, New Zealand and Panama in three friendlies announced on Tuesday

The U.S. men’s national team has announced three fall friendlies, with matches against two Concacaf foes and one from Oceania.

The USMNT will face Canada on Sept. 7 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, and will then take on New Zealand on Sept. 10 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The USMNT also announced that it will face Panama on Oct. 12 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, with one more October match expected to be announced at a later date.

With the games set for FIFA windows, the USMNT will have the ability to feature its strongest team.

The USMNT has never lost a match at any of the three venues where the matches will take place.

Marsch vs. USMNT the highlight

The highlight of the fall windows is likely to be the game against Canada, which is now led by American manager Jesse Marsch.

Last month, Marsch accused U.S. Soccer of not treating him well when he interviewed for the USMNT job last summer.

Though the game itself won’t have high stakes, there will certainly be heightened interest in the showdown between Marsch and Gregg Berhalter, a coach that Marsch didn’t hesitate to criticize during his time as a pundit.

Berhalter has been under pressure since re-joining the USMNT as head coach last summer, when he beat out Marsch and other candidates to secure his former job.

The Marsch vs. Berhalter matchup could theoretically not happen if the USMNT flames out at the Copa América and Berhalter loses his job — a fate that appears less likely after the U.S. began the tournament with a 2-0 win over Bolivia.

Marsch’s Canada side fell 2-0 to Argentina in the tournament opener, but Les Rouges put together an encouraging performance that will give them confidence ahead of upcoming matches against Peru and Chile.

The U.S. and Canada could also square off before September if they meet at the Copa América — but that matchup could only happen if it were the final.

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Fisherman man pleads ignorance after killing great white shark

The New Zealand man, who removed the protected shark’s head and jaw, claimed to have had an excuse.

A New Zealand fisherman who recently captured and decapitated a protected great white shark has been fined $600 – his excuse being that he did not  know what type of shark he had caught.

The nation’s Department of Conservation announced Friday that its investigation began March 15, after a Māori elder notified authorities after she spotted the headless shark carcass near the Mahia Boat Ramp.

(View a graphic image of the carcass in this link.)

The fisherman was located and confessed to catching the shark and removing its head and jaw. The man told authorities he did not know it was a white shark.

“As well as failing to report his capture of the animal, the man received the infringement for being in possession of the head and jaw of the shark without a relevant authority under the Wildlife Act,” said the DOC’s Matt Tong.

Some on social media did not believe the man’s story. The Blue Planet Society stated via X: “His defense? Claims he didn’t know it was a great white shark. Even though he kept the head.”

The shark’s head and jaw were donated to the Māori community.

Great white sharks are protected under New Zealand’s Wildlife Act 1953. Intentionally hunting and killing them is punishable by fines of up to $250,000 and two years’ imprisonment.

Fishermen are required to report unintentional white shark captures if the sharks cannot be released alive.

“Accidentally catching something is not an infringement,” the DOC explained. “But keeping, killing, or failing to report it is.”

–Top image courtesy of the Department of Conservation

Gaze in wonder at Tom Doak’s new North Course at Te Arai Links in New Zealand

These photos of the new Tom Doak-designed course at Te Arai Links will leave you dreaming of New Zealand.

Read this story, check out the photos below and then make time to search airfares to New Zealand, because architect Tom Doak’s new North Course at Te Arai Links opened this week.

Doak spent months on the seaside ground about 90 minutes north of Auckland, fashioning a complement to the resort’s highly rated South Course which was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in 2022. Doak’s routing features seven holes along the Pacific Ocean, with the others flowing into what had been a pine forest on sand dunes high above the beach.

Doak, famous for layouts such as Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon and Ballyneal in Colorado among others, also built the ultra-private Tara Iti Golf Club just up the road. By contrast, Te Arai Links offers public-access play as well as private memberships, with private and public play alternating days on the North and South courses.

Doak was hands-on for this project, climbing onto the equipment to shape many of the greens himself during his two-month stay during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. Doak worked with shapers Angela Moser, Clyde Johnson and Brian Slawnik.

“I’m still not that great on the dozer, but I do love it,” Doak said in a media release announcing news of the opening. “Some of the results are pretty wild, like the greens at 7 and 4. Maybe too severe at first glance. But in the end, they looked really cool and we all agreed: Let’s keep that.

“To be honest, for this course to be spoken of equally, alongside the South Course, we felt we had to do more with the golf. This is legitimately great inland terrain – pure sand and dunesy, with big undulations. But we couldn’t rely on that. We agreed that if we’re going to produce something different, we should probably be a bit edgier. The overall shaping, greens and fairways, speak to that, I think.”

Te Arai Links North
No. 11 of the North Course at Te Arai Links in New Zealand (Courtesy of Te Arai Links/Ricky Robinson)

The media release pointed out that Doak created several half-par holes on the 6,931-yard layout.

“At one point, we had the potential of five or six par 5s out there,” Doak said. “The course will play to a par of 71, but the routing does affect difficulty. There are some very strong par 4s on this golf course. Good short ones, too – but some real beasts. The reality is, everything on the North Course remains very close to the ocean. On any given day, each of the 18 holes can play completely differently depending on wind direction. That’s what golf by the sea is all about.”

Doak and the construction team also discovered, preserved and showcased a former Māori fort, a defensive fortification known as a pa, between the fifth tee and sixth green. It’s all part of an effort to make the property have as much of a New Zealand feel as possible.

There are further expansions planned for the resort as well. The members-only Bunker Bar, Ocean Restaurant, North Clubhouse and remaining luxury accommodations are on schedule to be completed by October 2024. The Ocean Restaurant at the South Course will open at the same time. Along with the South Course and its clubhouse, the resort’s Ric’s Pizza Barn and the gigantic putting course named The Playground have been open for a year. The property’s luxurious two-bedroom cottages and suites are set well back in the dunes.

International green fees range from $400 to $650 depending on season, as posted on the resort’s website. Second rounds played on the same day have the fee reduced by half. There are discounted fees for New Zealand residents.

“It’s honestly a dream come true, for our entire team to have all 36 holes in play,” Te Arai Links managing partner Jim Rohrstaff said in the media release. “Tom Doak and Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have each done such incredible jobs designing these two golf courses. Their work has exceeded our expectations. Yet we’re equally proud of the casual, inclusive vibe that prevails here. We wanted Te Arai Links to feel different – to welcome and engage traveling golfers but also non-golfers, spouses and kids. It really does, and that’s rare.”

Check out several photos of the North Course, taken by Ricky Robinson, below.