Long Time Connection to Resort and its Director of Golf
WAIKOLOA, Big Island of Hawaii (August 5, 2008) – Waikoloa Beach Resort’s PGA touring professional, Parker McLachlin, finished an exciting tournament with an exclamation point this week. Faced with a 15 foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of regulation play, Parker buried the putt for a commanding seven shot victory at the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open. The win was his first on TOUR and opens the door for a spot in this week’s final Major, The PGA Championship contested at Oakland Hills in Michigan.
Waikoloa Beach Resort’s Director of Golf, Scott Head, a long time friend and Parker’s swing coach for many years knew it was just a matter of time before Parker won on Tour. “It was a matter of when, not if. His development has been on a steady and fixed path upward. He is a wonderful Champion and a great Ambassador for Waikoloa.”
Parker’s relationship with Waikoloa Beach Resort and its Director of Golf date back nearly two decades. Head first served as Parker’s chaperone on a trip in 1991 to Japan to compete an international junior event. In 2003, fresh out of College at UCLA, Parker spent the summer with Scott in Northern Michigan honing his game in preparation for a professional career in golf. And for much of the last five years, the two have met up at either on tournament sites or worked over the phone to troubleshoot things when Parker needed help. And now they meet at Waikoloa, where Parker serves as the resort’s PGA Touring Professional, and Head, its Director of Golf.
Parker McLachlin, a second-year player on the PGA TOUR, shot rounds of 68-62-66-74, for a four round total of 270 (18-under par). With difficult playing conditions and hole-placements positioned in near-inaccessible locations, McLachlin held his nerves together during the final round with a great short game and some clutch shot-making.
McLachlin built his lead early in the tournament and never relinquished it. He followed up his course record tying second-round 62 (which was a career best for the 29-year-old) with a 6-under 66 on Saturday. His three round total of 20-under par provided a 6 shot cushion entering Sunday’s final round. It was also the second largest 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour in 2008, only behind Tiger Woods’ 8-shot lead at Buick.
The win moves McLachlin from 99th on the money list to 53rd, with nearly $1.3 million dollars in total earnings in 2008. In addition, he moves up to 47th on the Fed Ex Cup points standings. With the win, he also is eligible to compete in this week’s PGA Championship at Oakland Hills and earns his first trip to the Masters in 2009.
For more information on Parker McLachlin, visit www.parkermclachlin.com.
For more information on Waikoloa Beach Resort, visit www.waikoloabeachresort.com.
Media Contacts:
Waikoloa Beach Resort
Scott Head,
PGA-Director of Golf
(808) 886-5172
SHead@waikoloaland.com
Resort & Golf Marketing
Kevin Frisch, (989) 614-0241, kevin@resortandgolf.com
Dave Richards, (248) 642-6420, dave@resortandgolf.com
Waikoloa is arguably the most complete golf resort destination in the Hawaiian Islands
Waikoloa Beach Resort is situated on 1,350 acres of the beautiful Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii – the Golf Capital of the Aloha State. Waikoloa features two fabulous golf courses designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish (Kings’) and Robert Trent Jones Jr. (Beach). The courses feature unique layouts specifically designed to challenge shot-making skills while letting golfers enjoy the magnificent beauty of the Big Island: views of the majestic, often-times snow-capped Mauna Kea mountain and the warm, tranquil Pacific Ocean.
Golfers and guests will also enjoy the first-class lodging accommodations at Waikoloa’s Hilton Waikoloa Village or Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the daily entertainment, and world-class shopping and dining at the Kings’ Shops and the new Queens’ MarketPlace.
Waikoloa Beach Resort also features water activities, hiking trails, spas, tennis, entertainment, fine dining, as well as enjoying the ocean along 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. Visit www.waikoloabeachresort.com.
Contact:
Waikoloa Beach Resort
Scott Head,
PGA-Director of Golf
(808) 886-5172
SHead@waikoloaland.com
Resort & Golf Marketing
Kevin Frisch, (989) 614-0241, kevin@resortandgolf.com
Dave Richards, (248) 642-6420, dave@resortandgolf.com
