Golf Course Architecture - Issue 66, October 2021

14 TEE BOX Te Arai South growing in ahead of 2022 opening NEWS EDI TOR : R I CHARD HUMPHREYS Strategy of new course by Coore and Crenshaw is determined by the natural dune contours upon which it is routed C onstruction of the new Coore and Crenshaw-designed South course at Te Arai Links in New Zealand is complete and growing in ahead of an opening in October 2022. The new South course is part of the Te Arai development – which will also include a course designed by Tom Doak, restaurants, cottages and villas – and is located on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. The project follows the success of, and is close to, Tara Iti, the private 18-hole course by Doak that opened in 2015 to widespread acclaim. Tara Iti owner Ric Kayne and golf industry veteran Jim Rohrstaff are leading the Te Arai development, which Rohrstaff says will “turn this little stretch of coastline into one of the great golf destinations in the world.” “When you have undulating sand and dunes along the Pacific Ocean with a great climate, what more can you ask for,” said Rohrstaff. “Tara Iti is a testament to how good golf can be on this property, but each of the courses will have a different personality. Despite being on the same property, Te Arai South and North will be entirely different.” “To anyone who has seen it, Tara Iti is obviously one of the world’s most beautiful and special golf courses,” said Bill Coore. “It has an amazing routing that radiates in varying directions and showcases golf in an interesting and extremely enjoyable manner. Tara Iti is set on a sand dune landscape