\u201cWell, first and foremost, I think we\u2019re just blown away, honoured, excited, humbled, all of those things that you would imagine,\u201d Te Arai Links managing director Jim Rohrstaff told Newstalk ZB\u2019s Weekend Sport with Jason Pine on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe think that the golf course, which I\u2019m actually going to go out and play this afternoon, is in the best shape of its very young life and getting better by the day. So I think we cannot wait to show this to the world and hopefully put on just a very memorable tournament for the AAC. We cannot wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zackary Swanwick, the current world No 22 in the amateur rankings, will lead the Kiwi charge. The 20-year-old plays his golf for the University of Florida Gators in the United States\u2019 collegiate competition.<\/p>\n
Swanwick finished in a tie for 12th at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Melbourne in 2023 and was part of the Arnold Palmer Cup-winning international team in Ireland this year.<\/p>\n
He will be joined by fellow Florida Gator Joshua Bai, Yuki Miya, Cooper Moore, Robbie Turnbull and Ryan Xie. The latter was runner-up at this year\u2019s Australian Boys\u2019 Amateur and a US Junior Amateur quarter-finalist in July. Moore, meanwhile, is coming off playing in the Junior Presidents Cup at the Medinah Country Club.<\/p>\n
The eighth hole at Te Arai Links South Course. Photo \/ Ricky Robinson<\/p>\n
Rohrstaff likes the chances of a New Zealander being in the hunt on the final round.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s huge for us. So a Kiwi has still never won this event. We\u2019ve had some decent showings, but we\u2019ve never really threatened on Sunday. And I think this year, more than any in the past, I think we\u2019ve got six young guys who have a real shot at this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd, you know, a few of them who are playing exceptional golf right now that in the US during some great amateur tournaments this year have really turned it on. So I think there\u2019s a great chance that they could be there and there\u2019s somebody that the broadcast is talking about on Sunday afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2025 edition of the AAC, hosted by the United Arab Emirates at The Majlis Course of Emirates Golf Club, was broadcast in more than 190 countries, making the event the most televised amateur golf tournament in the world. Masters commentators Rich Lerner, Frank Nobilo and Amanda Balionis are heading down as part of this year\u2019s coverage.<\/p>\n
It presents an opportunity for New Zealand to showcase a property in Te Arai Links that has contributed to the country\u2019s world-renowned reputation as a golfing destination.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s unique about this year\u2019s event for tournament play is not just the setting but the on-course facilities where the players will also be staying \u2013 including one of the world\u2019s largest putting greens, dubbed The Playground \u2013 but also the North Course and a spa and fitness centre with surfing and horseback riding options along the coast.<\/p>\n
The par-three 17th hole at Te Arai South Course at sunset. Photo \/ Ricky Robinson<\/p>\n
\u201cThese guys have a lot of time on their hands after their four-hour round or probably four-and-a-half-hour round in a tournament condition. But they\u2019ll end up probably spending a lot of time there, which we\u2019re really excited about that,\u201d Rohrstaff said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis year is going to be very different than years in the past for the AAC, where the players are actually staying on site here, which means they\u2019ll fill their day with going to the beach and really seeing what Te Arai is all about here. So I think you\u2019ll see a lot more intermingling between nations and teams on that putting green on The Playground. I think it\u2019s going to be spectacular. That\u2019s going to really enhance this, the player experience, this year.\u201d<\/p>\n