(LAHAINA, HI) – Ka’anapali Golf Resort – managed by Billy Casper Golf – today announces its PGA General Manager, Ed Kageyama, has been singled out for distinction by his PGA of America Aloha Section peers as “Merchandiser of the Year for Resort Courses.”
A 17-year veteran of Hawaii’s golf industry and one of the state’s most respected golf professionals, Kageyama is being honored for his stewardship of a $2 million renovation of the clubhouse that included a complete overhaul of the Ka’anapali Golf and Resort Shop. The new layout allows for a broader mix of apparel, equipment and accessories, appealing to a wider customer base that led to an increase in merchandise sales by more than 50 percent.
“Our Ka’anapali team is humbled by this award,” says Kageyama. “We work hard to provide guests with the best possible playing experiences, and having a world-class clubhouse and resort shop helps ensure that happens.”
A key cog in Ka’anapali’s merchandising program has been Purchasing Manager Todd Madden who was recently recognized for 20 years of membership in the Association of Golf Merchandisers (“AGM”). Madden is a charter member of the organization and has served as one of 10 AGM regional directors, helping develop seminars for membership.
“Through Todd’s membership in AGM, he’s been able to tap into a broad, international membership base,” says Kageyama. “This has afforded him access to the best and brightest in golf retail, which has aided our operation here at Ka’anapali.”
Kageyama – born and raised on Oahu – has shepherded a turnaround at Ka’anapali and further established the resort as a premier golf destination. Along with renowned golf course architect Robin Nelson, Kageyama oversaw a $13 million renovation that encompassed both the Royal and Kai courses on the resort. A fourth set of tees was added to both layouts and several holes were modified to capitalize on the panoramic views of thePacific Ocean.
Guided by Kageyama’s strategic and marketing savvy, the golf resort recently – for the second year – hosted the Wendy’s Champions Tour SKINS Game, which will be televised on ESPN February 28-March 1. The tournament featured golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Gary Player, Jay Haas, Loren Roberts, Fuzzy Zoeller and Ben Crenshaw.
For more information about Ka’anapali Golf Resort or to reserve a tee time: www.kaanapaligolfresort.com or 808.661.3691.
About Ka’anapali Golf Resort
The Royal Ka’anapali Course, a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design, opened in 1962 and has tested the skills of golf professionals and amateurs alike. A par-71 stretching 6,700 yards, the Royal Course combines wide fairways and undulating greens, making it both distinctive and demanding. Home of the Champions Tour Ka’anapali Classic for 14 years, the Royal Ka’anapali Course also hosted Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf, the Canada Cup and LPGA Kemper Open, donning such golfing greats as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Jan Stephenson and Betsy King.
The Ka’anapali Kai Course is a par-70, 6,400-yard course and boasts an array of strategically-placed bunkers, contoured fairways, and re-shaped and resurfaced greens. Recent host of Golf Channel’s No. 1 series, “Big Break Ka’anapali”, the course is a delight to play with its sweeping ocean vistas and places a premium on strategy off the tee, accuracy with approach shots, and a deft touch around the greens.
About Billy Casper Golf
Widely respected as a high-performance, full-service owner/operator of golf courses, BCG manages properties in 24 states and outside the U.S. The company provides turnkey club operations for public-agency and private owners, developers and investors. Founded 20 years ago in cooperation with golf legend Billy Casper, BCG is based in Vienna, VA with regional offices strategically convenient to courses’ locales.
BCG’s best-of-breed infrastructure shows clients favorable returns on investments. Critically-acclaimed by industry leaders and media, BCG economies of scale help daily-fee, municipal, resort and private courses make and save money while delivering a personal touch.
Buffalo Communications – a division of BCG – is America’s foremost golf-specialty publicity, media-relations and marketing-communications agency. In addition to creating PR and implementing programs for BCG courses, Buffalo represents many of golf’s top brands (products, resorts, destinations and communities) worldwide.
For more information about Billy Casper Golf/Buffalo Communications, www.billycaspergolf.com, www.buffalocommunications.com, 703.761.1444.
Contact:
Nick Lashinsky
Billy Casper Golf / Buffalo Communications
703.891.3324
nlashinsky@billycaspergolf.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
www.billycaspergolf.com
Melissa Ludwig
Ka’anapali Golf Resort
808.357.7248
mludwig@kaanapaligolfresort.com
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