Jeff Latch: Golf NZ CEO on the possibility of an LIV Golf event in Christchurch

Rumours have been circulating that the Saudi-backed LIV Golf is teeing up an event in Christchurch, possibly as early as next year. 

The Herald understands LIV Golf has been looking at the possibility of bringing a high-profile tournament to Christchurch Golf Club to New Zealand’s second oldest club. 

Christchurch Golf Club general manager Mike Hadley confirmed to the Herald that LIV Golf officials have “visited” the course but as yet, “there’s been no follow-up”. 

Jeff Latch, Golf NZ CEO, told Mike Hosking that the LIV event in Adelaide has really taken off, with LIV arguing that it’s probably their best event around the world. 

He said they understand they’re looking to move that event from April to February, and while they’re down in the Southern Hemisphere, there’s potential for there to be New Zealand events adjacent to the Australian events. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Words, lib Golf is headed our way. Officials have visited
the christ Yurch Golf Club. So it's possible that d
Chambeau and Kepka and Rahmen Co Are going to be
in the country next year, which could be exciting. Golf
New Zealand boss Jeff Latch is with us on this Jeff.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Morning, Good morning Mine.

Speaker 1 (00:13):
Now you know old Koy with me and go I
don't know anything about her. Are you going to spill
the beans and tell us what's really going on?

Speaker 2 (00:19):
I'll tell you what I know. Live events in Adelaide,
which has normally been April, has been a huge success.
It's really taken off and it's been massive. They argue
that's probably their best event around the world. They're looking
to move that event, we understand from April to February
next year, and so if they're down here doing that event,

(00:41):
there's potential for there to be events in New Zealand
as well adjacent to the Australian event. If there was
interest in New Zealand to hold.

Speaker 1 (00:48):
It, fantastic. Why did christ Church and christ Church Club
specifically come up? Do you know?

Speaker 2 (00:54):
No, I don't know why. It may be because I
think a number of people of approached love to see
whether or not they would host events in New Zealand,
and I think they have said, yeah, look we're up
for that. But they're not cheap. Yeah, they cost millions
of dollars of you years if you actually want to
host an event.

Speaker 1 (01:12):
But they bring in millions of dollars.

Speaker 2 (01:14):
They do, they do, and they bring in huge interest
and profile for the sport at golf, and critically they
bring in a lot of young people. So if you
look at the group of people that actually went along
and watched the golf in Adelaide, it was a really
interesting mix.

Speaker 1 (01:29):
So yeah, you would you would be involved Golf New
Zealand would be involved if they were coming or not necessarily.

Speaker 2 (01:36):
Not necessarily but probably.

Speaker 1 (01:38):
Right, So are you expecting to be involved, Jef? You guys,
have you cleared your diary?

Speaker 2 (01:47):
I tell you what I love to playing with O.
Their events they looked at but.

Speaker 1 (01:51):
Well there you go. So well as you said here
on a Friday morning, the chances of this happening are
reasonably good. Is that fair to say or not?

Speaker 2 (01:59):
I think they're reasonably slim. It would be fantastic, I
think though, if we did have your whole other world's
best players play in New Zealand. Just imagine it. I
mean it would just be gold right, But I think
it's a lot of money to actually get the get
them out.

Speaker 1 (02:15):
So the design might be there, the money might not
be correct.

Speaker 2 (02:20):
And the context for this though is that golf is
going off right in New Zealand. The last four years,
the number of people in golf club members has actually
grown by thirty four percent. It started in COVID, kept
on going and it's still going now. Like our growth
last month was about five point eight percent and eighteen
percent growth for young people playing golf. Lots of young

(02:43):
people are pouring into the game. So yeah, it's fantastic.
At the moment, golf's just going off and it looks
like it's going to continue to great good stuff.

Speaker 1 (02:50):
Well, let's hope we can stitch it together. Jeff Brere
Jeff Let's Golf New Zealand CEO.

Speaker 2 (02:54):
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