The Muriwai Downs proposed golf course project is an approved development proposal by Bears Home Project Management Limited in Auckland, New Zealand. Kyle Phillips designed the initial site plan remotely during COVID, planning for a 19 hole golf course and short course. Additionally, a Sport Academy with luxury lodge accommodation of 26 units on the Muriwai Downs property. The Sports Academy is anticipated to be the new headquarters of Golf NZ.
The project location is under 40 kilometers west of Auckland city center on the North Island overlooking the Tasman Sea. The farm's 507 hectares(1,200+ acres) and is currently a working sheep + cattle farm overlooking the sea to the west. The land is also home to a number of exceptional natural features, including a waterfall, kauri forest, streams, wetlands, and coastal dunes. Planning for the course with Auckland council was led in person by Queenstown, New Zealand based golf architect Greg Turner with discussion points on routing, site soil and council land planning requirements.
The sports academy would provide training facilities for golfers of all levels and would also include indoor and outdoor tennis courts. The resource consent application for the project was approved by Auckland Council in 2023.
Ryan Brandeburg is Director of the Golf Strategy Group (GSG). Brandeburg is an innovator documenting the build of Muriwai Downs on Instagram as shown above starting at Day 1. Brandeburg has specialized in golf course development, design, operations, and premium tourism working with the New Zealand government. Also a member of the Professional Golfer’s Association of America (PGA), Brandeburg's extensive experience spans managing golf properties, leading premium tourism projects, and working in diverse locations such as the USA, New Zealand, Australia, and China. Starting from an academic background at Coastal Carolina University in Business Marketing and Professional Golf Management set the foundation for his roles in private clubs. His recruitment to New Zealand in 2009 saw him marketing globally and operating properties, Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers. Golf tourism has grown from $145 million NZD in 2012 to over $400 million NZD annually - in part from the contributions Brandeburg has made to the establishing internationally recognized Top 100 Golf Courses in the world.
In 2021, Brandeburg published Golf in New Zealand and Associated Benefits to Auckland Council highlighting the benefit for Auckland and New Zealand for the proposed Muriwai Downs development project. Brandeburg serves as appointed Executive Director of Golf Tourism New Zealand and sits on the Board of the New Zealand Golf Industry Council.
| Active | Proposed | Permits - NLE | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
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