Waikoloa, Hawaii (March 31, 2008) – Waikoloa Beach Resort, located on the beautiful Kohala Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island has earned GOLF Magazine’s prestigious Silver Medal Golf Resort Award.
The popular Big Island resort makes a strong return to the Silver Medal rankings boosted by an array of multi-million dollar hotel renovations, vast improvements to the two distinctively different golf courses, and expanded shopping, dining and cultural experiences.
"Waikoloa has long been hailed one of the premier golf resorts in the world. The combination of world-class lodging, activities and amenities, along with two spectacular championship golf courses have always been of international appeal. We are proud to have that validated by GOLF Magazine" said Thos Rohr, President of Waikoloa Land Company.
GOLF Magazine compiled its list of top resort destinations by calling on more than 8,000 readers to vote at Golf.com to determine the winners. GOLF Magazine’s Premier Resorts were determined by four criteria; golf, lodging, food and drink, and service. GOLFapportioned 40% of the total to the golf product and 20% to each of the other categories.
Renovations of the Waikoloa golf courses and its two luxury hotel properties were key factors in the resort gaining the Silver Medal Award status. A $1-million restoration/renovation to the Beach Course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., including upgrading bunkers, was recently completed. In addition, Waikoloa’s Kings’ course, designed by Tom Weiskopf with Jay Morrish, has received an upgrade in overall maintenance practices to improve on its playability and conditions.
Waikoloa’s Beach Course leads players to the sea along a breathtaking coastline to stunning views of humpback whales frolicking off shore. The 6,566-yard, par-70 course weaves through strategically placed water features, 74 white-sand bunkers, and ancient lava fields down to the surf’s edge.
The Kings’ Course is appropriately a Scottish-style layout in paradise. The 7,064-yard, par-72 track is fraught with pot bunkers (83 sand traps, all told), and other authentic links golf trappings, such as double greens and undulating fairways. Only the views of the majestic, snow-capped Mauna Kea, and the warm tranquil sea will remind you that you are not playing golf on the auld sod.
With a capital investment of $100 million at Hilton Waikoloa Village and a $50 million dollar makeover at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, the resort is poised to join the elite grouping of top resort destinations in the country. Major renovations include enhancements to guest rooms, restaurant redesigns, pool area upgrades, as well as improvements to the spa areas.
In addition to the hotel upgrades, Waikoloa Beach Resort has expanded its offerings in shopping, dining, and entertainment with the addition of the 135,000-sq. ft. Queens’ MarketPlace adjoining the Kings Shops. The open-air Queens’ MarketPlace will offer additional restaurants, shops, an entertainment stage, studio-theater, public fountains, and an abundance of landscaping in an architectural design showcasing Hawaii’s monarchy era.
Waikoloa Beach Resort and its two courses are set on 1,350 acres along the Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii – the Golf Capital of the Aloha State. The resort also features water activities, hiking trails, spas, tennis, entertainment and fine dining. The resort is located on one of Hawaii’s most stunning beachfront settings on Anaeho’omalu Bay.
To this day, Waikoloa embraces the spirit of being a gathering place for visitors, golfers, and residents – a Kohala Coast oasis where you can comfortably mingle and share in the celebration of Hawaiian culture and relaxed lifestyle.
For additional information or to view the listing at GOLF.com, please visit
http://www.golf.com/golf/special/article/0,28136,1713413-4,00.html
Visit www.waikoloabeachresort.com or phone (877) WAIKOLOA.
Contact:
Resort & Golf Marketing
Kevin Frisch, (989) 614-0241, kevin@resortandgolf.com
Dave Richards, (248) 642-6420, dave@resortandgolf.com
