Multiple Properties Earn Acclaim on Nature-Kissed ‘Garden Isle’
(KAUA’I, Hawaii) – Readers of GolfWorld magazine cast so many votes for the golf courses and resorts on Kaua’i that the island’s golf-and-resort-lifestyle destination emerged as perhaps the nation’s most esteemed.
More than 46,000 votes and 600,000 criteria evaluations were cast overall in GolfWorld’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards, and the courses at The St. Regis Princeville Resort (Prince and Makai courses), Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort & Spa (Poipu Bay) and Kaua’i Marriott Resort & Beach Club (Kaua’i Lagoons) garnered distinction as a result.
In the “Top 50 Resort Courses” category Princeville ranked No.11 nationally, Poipu Bay No. 17, and Kauai Lagoons No. 50.
A fourth Kaua’i course, Puakea Golf Course in Lihue, was recognized alongside its sister courses on the island for earning among the highest point totals in golf-rich Hawai’i.
GolfWorld readers rated the Kaua’i courses so well that several earned Top 10 distinction in various criteria, with Princeville coming in No. 1 in Off-Course Amenities and Poipu Bay at No. 7, underscoring the resort destination attributes Kaua’i visitors can enjoy after golf.
Some of the categories in which Kaua’i courses and resorts were honored with among the highest scores include “Reputation/Prestige”, “Hotel Accommodations”, “Speed of Play”, “Food & Dining”, “Service” and “Overall Value”.
“We are humbled by the numerous honors that GolfWorld readers have bestowed upon us,” said Sue Kanoho, Kaua’i Visitors Bureau Executive Director. “Kaua’i offers unique recreational options and values to visitors and residents, so we say ‘mahalo nui loa’ for this recognition, and we hope it entices visitors to experience our great courses, resorts, beaches and other amenities.”
Complete results from GolfWorld Readers’ Choice 2010 can be found at: http://www.golfdigest.com/golfworld/2009/09/golf_readers_choice_top_50_resort
For more information about the Garden Isle, visit www.kauaidiscovery.com/activities/golfing/ or call 800-262-1400.
“Kaua’i: Discover Golf’s Ultimate Island Green”
Kaua’i exemplifies nature at it’s unspoiled best – less than 5% of the island is developed for commercial and residential use. Flora and fauna blanket the mountains and juxtapose brilliantly with the turquoise Pacific Ocean, white clouds and blue skies. Buffeted by soothing trade winds, Kaua’i offers more than 50 miles of white sand beaches – more beach per mile than any other island in Hawai’i.
The unique attributes of the golf destination cooperative “Kaua’i: Discover Golf’s Ultimate Island Green” include:
1. Princeville Golf Courses (www.princeville.com, 800.826.1105)
* The Prince Course was rated No. 67 in Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses 2009-10” and rated the No. 1 course in the state
* 45 golf holes – the 27-hole Makai course (currently closed for renovation, planned to open late 2009/early 2010) and the 18-hole Prince – designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
* The St. Regis Princeville Resort is scheduled to open the last week of this month (September 2009)
2. Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Club (www.kauailagoonsgolf.com, 800.634.6400)
* Currently 18 of 36 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus are in play consisting of six holes from the Mokihana Course and 12 holes from the Kiele Course. Included are the original Kiele 16th, 17th and 18th holes. The signature 16th hole – a short par 4 lined on the entire left side by a dramatic ocean bluff requires a precise drive and approach and the 18th that Jack Nicklaus aptly named the “Bear” is a demanding par 4 playing to an island green. The rest of the back nine at Kiele will continue receiving extensive upgrades, including the addition of one new ocean hole which will create a one-half-mile long stretch of oceanfront golf.
* Kaua’i Lagoons and Kaua’i Marriott Resort & Beach Club were recently named to Golf Digest’s Top 75 Golf Resorts in North America (September 2009 issue); guests can enjoy a $50 million transformation scheduled for completion this fall (2009), which will bring additional luster and options
3. Poipu Bay Golf Course (www.poipubaygolf.com, 800.858.6300)
* Along with Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort & Spa recently honored as one of Golf Digest magazine’s “75 Best Golf Resorts 2009”
* Four closing holes play atop a 150-foot sea cliff
* Home to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 through 2006, it has frequently hosted players like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and other major champions
4. Puakea Golf Course (www.puakeagolf.com, 866.773.5554)
* Rated one of “America’s Best Courses You Can Play” in Hawaii – Golfweek Magazine
* Golf Course Architect Robin Nelson used the natural layout of the land when he planned this layout, testing golfers of all levels and treating them to beautiful views of Mt. Ha’upu and deep lush ravines on several holes.
* Owned by AOL co-Founder Steve Case
Contact:
Dan Shepherd, Buffalo Communications, 703-891-3320,
dshepherd@buffalocommunications.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
