Brings to 117 the Number of Otherworldly Holes Offered Via the Acclaimed Collection
(KAUA’I, Hawaii) – How does the Kaua’i golf destination keep its edge and remain one of the world’s most popular resort-and-island destinations? By refusing to rest on its laurels and legacy.
Kaua’i golf long ago staked its claim to destination greatness thanks to it breathtaking beauty, natural terrain and frequently idyllic weather. Since then it has built upon its acclaimed status by continuing to change with the times while maintaining the unspoiled setting, service and amenities which made it so popular originally.
The latest news from Kaua’i: Discover Golf’s Ultimate Island Green is the addition of Kiahuna Golf Club to the destination cooperative, bringing to 117 the number of scintillating golf holes it offers.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Kiahuna features some of the finest greens in Hawaii and the only ones on Kauai with Sea Shore Paspalum turf on them.
Sea Shore Paspalum came from Africa on ships to America, specifically South Carolina, where the grass was dumped into the harbor. The grass started to grow on the shore banks and over time adapted to the salt water and became salt tolerant. Key benefits of this grass are it requires fewer chemicals for weed and pest control, which means it is one of the world’s most environmentally friendly. Salt can be applied directly to weeds and kill them but not the surrounding grass. Reclaimed water with high salt content can be used for irrigation.
Furthermore, Sea Shore Paspalum has no grain, unlike Bermuda grass, which is found on 90 percent of the golf turf used inHawaii. This makes putting easier for golfers from the mainland, many who are not well-versed in reading grain on greens.
“Aesthetically, Sea Shore Paspalum is an enhancement as well,” says Kiahuna Head Golf Professional Matthew A. Torry, PGA . “It is a darker green than Bermuda grass, making Kiahuna’s overall look more lush and playable.”
Kiahuna is a 6,925-yard, par 70 championship course with a rating of 73.5 and slope of 134. The course weaves around many ancient remnants of Hawaiian culture, which lends a spiritual, authentic Hawaiian aura to the property.
It joins the other golf clubs in the Kaua’i golf destination co-op, all of which have received state and/or international distinction:
* Princeville (Prince Course, Makai Course, Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course architect)
* Poipu Bay (Trent Jones Jr.)
* Kaua’i Lagoons (Kiele Course, Mokihana Course, Jack Nicklaus)
* Puakea (Robin Nelson)
“Having Kiahuna join our island’s golf destination is an outstanding addition to our brand,” said Sue Kanoho, Executive Director of the Kaua’i Visitors Bureau. “When golfers think of Kauai they think of a collection of unforgettable golf courses and resorts and Kiahuna is consistent with that high quality.”
For more information the Garden Isle, visit www.discovery.com/activities/golfing/ or call 800-262-1400.
About “Kaua’i: Discover Golf’s Ultimate Island Green”
Kaua’i is colored by lush, numerous shades of green – flora and fauna blanket the mountains and serve as a painter’s palette and “carpet” of nature’s unspoiled wonder. Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean and buffeted by soothing trade winds and slack key guitar notes wafting in the breeze, Kaua’i offers more than 50 miles of white sand beaches – more beach per mile than any other island in Hawai’i. Only four percent of the island is developed for commercial and residential use.
The critical acclaim and unique attributes of the five golf-destination clubs which offer a combined 117 scintillating golf holes include:
1. Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Club (www.kauailagoonsgolf.com, 800.634.6400)
* Home to Golf Digest’s No. 56 rated course in "America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses" (Kiele Course)
* Currently 18 of 36 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus are in play. The back nine holes of the Kiele Course and front nine of the Mokihana Course are currently closed and in the process of receiving extensive upgrades, including the addition of two new ocean holes at Kiele. Completion date of the Kiele back nine is expected sometime in early 2009 and the entire project sometime in 2010)
* The Kiele Course front nine holes features the par-3 5th green encircled by a tropical Mango and Guava tree forest
2. Poipu Bay Golf Course (www.poipubaygolf.com, 800.858.6300)
* Along with Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort & Spa rated No. 32 in Golf Digest’s “Sublime 75: America’s Greatest Golf Resorts”
* Four closing holes play atop a 150-foot sea cliff
* Longtime home to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, it has frequently hosted players like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and other major champions
3. Princeville Golf Courses (www.princeville.com, 800.826.1105)
* Home to Golf Digest’s No. 39 rated course in “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” (Prince Course) and the No. 1 rated course in the state
* 45 holes of golf – the 27-hole Makai nines and the 18-hole Prince – all designed by Robert Trent Jones II
* Overlooks exquisite Hanalei Bay
4. Puakea Golf Club (www.puakeagolf.com, 866.773.5554)
* Kaua’i’s newest 18-hole course
* Owned by AOL Co-Founder Steve Case
* Adjacent to the lush site where Steven Spielberg filmed “Jurassic Park”
5. Kiahuna Golf Club (www.kiahunagolf.com, 808.742.9595)
* Outstanding greens feature Seashore Paspalum, Kauai’s only course to offer them
* Designed by world-famous golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course weaves around many ancient remnants of authentic Hawaiian culture
* Voted “Kaua’i’s Best” by the readers of The Garden Isle newspaper, Kiahuna is a 6,925-yard, par 70 with a rating of 73.5 and slope of 134
Kaua’i’s natural wonders include the 3,567-foot deep Waimea Canyon, dubbed “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, and the 3,000-foot towering mountain cliffs overlooking the Napali Coast along the northwest shoreline.
A wealth of outdoor activities like kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, mountain tubing, horseback riding, ATV adventures, zipline aerial tours, helicopter and boat tours, offer memorable vacation experiences for the whole family.
Contact:
Dan Shepherd, Buffalo Communications
703-891-3320, dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
