(KAUA’I, Hawaii) – The Kaua’i Visitors Bureau announces today that the Princeville Prince Course has been ranked 22nd on GOLF magazine’s biennial “Top-100 Courses You Can Play” list while all of five of the courses in its golf-and-resort lifestyle destination co-operative – Kaua’i: Discover Golf’s Ultimate Island Green — have been ranked on the “2010 Best Courses You Can Play” by state list.
The honored courses are:
Princeville Prince Course (Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course architect)
Poipu Bay (Robert Trent Jones Jr.)
Princeville Makai Course (Robert Trent Jones Jr.)
Puakea (Robin Nelson)
Kaua’i Lagoons (Jack Nicklaus)
There are more than 90 courses in Hawaii and only 20 were cited for best-of distinction. The Prince Course ranked No. 2 in the state, Poipu Bay No. 5, Makai Course No. 8, Puakea No. 16 and Kaua’i Lagoons No. 18. GOLF magazine’s complete listing is available online and will be listed in the September 2010 edition of the magazine.
The Prince Course, named for Prince Albert, son of Hawaii’s King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, features magnificent views from 300 feet above the Pacific Ocean. The Makai Course, which is also located in the lavish Princeville at Hanalei resort, recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation that featured the introduction of Seashore Paspalum turf grass on all tees, fairways and greens, providing spectacular playing surfaces for golfers of all skill levels.
In addition, the renovation of the famous Kiele back nine holes at Kaua’i Lagoons is being overseen by Jack Nicklaus, the original designer, and when completed in May, 2011 will feature a half-mile stretch of ocean front golf holes — the longest in Hawaii. In the meantime, golfers can enjoy a beautiful Nicklaus layout consisting of the Kiele front nine and the back nine of the former Mokihana Golf Course. Kaua’i Lagoons is adjacent to the Kaua’i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach, the oceanfront property that just completed a $50-million makeover last month (see news item below).
Also, Poipu Bay – the former home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf that sits next to the renowned Grand Hyatt Kaua’i – is currently undergoing a similar switch to the eco-friendly Seashore Paspalum greens and is expected to re-open in December.
“Being included in the GOLF magazine rankings is further proof that the combination of golf offerings on Kaua’i is second to none,” said Sue Kanoho, Executive Director of the Kaua’i Visitors Bureau. “We’re excited that our recently competed renovation projects have been so well received and that the quality of the courses currently undergoing restoration will be further enriched upon completion.”
Summer travel to Kaua’i on the rise in 2010
Visitation to Hawaii increased significantly in June as compared to last year as 625,522 travelers made their way to the state in the month, a 13.6 increase from June 2009, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. This marks the seventh straight month the state has seen a rise in visitor traffic.
Every island in Hawaii experienced a growth in visitors in June, including Kaua’i, which saw an increase of almost six percent. The news comes on the heels of last month’s Travel + Leisuremagazine, which named the “Garden Isle” the second-best island in the world and the top destination in island-rich Hawaii for the second straight year.
Kaua’i Marriot Resort on Kalapaki Beach unveils $50-million makeover
The new Kaua’i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach was reintroduced last month with a special ceremony including a traditional Hawaiian blessing, hula dancers and musicians, following a nine-month, $50-million renovation that touched all hotel areas.
The 356-room resort is located on one of the island’s most picturesque beachfronts, conveniently situated within minutes from Lihue Airport. The project included the refurbishing of a casual open-air restaurant, a newly built children’s pool to complement its signature 26,000 square-foot swimming pool, nearly 20,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and 60,000 square feet of outdoor event space in ocean, garden and pool settings.
To help commemorate the completion of the renovation, the new Kaua’i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach is offering a special “Free For Fall” rate. Starting at $209, guests will enjoy:
Free Internet access
Free room upgrade to pool view
Free golf for children with a paying adult at the premier Kaua’i Lagoons
Discount coupons to retail stores and outlets on property
This offer is valid through December 25, 2010. Use promo code “FLP.” For more information visit the Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Club at www.kauaimarriott.com or call 800.634.6400.
About “Kaua’i: Discover Golf’s Ultimate Island Green”
Kaua’i offers more than 50 miles of white sand beaches — more beach per mile than any other island in Hawaii. Only four percent of the island is developed for commercial and residential use.
For more information about golf on the Garden Isle visit www.Kauaidiscovery.com/activities/golfing/,www.twitter.com/KauaiGolf, or call 800-262-1400.
The unique attributes of the golf destination cooperative “Kaua’i: Discover Golf’s Ultimate Island Green” include:
1. Princeville Golf Courses (www.princeville.com)
45 holes of golf — the 27-hole Makai Golf Club at The St. Regis Princeville Resort and the 18-hole Prince Golf Course — all designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
The Prince Course (800.826.1105) is rated the No. 1 course in the state and was rated No. 67 in Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses 2009-10”
The Makai Golf Club (www.makaigolf.com/, 808.826.1912) reopened in 2010 after an extensive 15-month renovation and now features the 18-hole Makai Course and the 9-hole Woods Course
The St. Regis Princeville Resort just completed a multi-million-dollar renovation and opened the first week of October 2009
2. Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Club (www.kauailagoonsgolf.com, 800.634.6400)
Voted, along with Kaua’i Marriott Resort, one of the “Top 50 Resort Courses” worldwide by GolfWorld magazine in its “2009 Readers’ Choice Awards”
Currently 18 of the 38 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus are in play, consisting of nine holes from the Kiele Course and nine holes from the Mokihana Course. The Kiele Ocean nine is receiving extensive upgrades, including the addition of one new ocean hole that will create a one-half-mile long stretch of oceanfront golf. Completion of the Kiele Ocean nine is scheduled for May 2011
The front nine holes feature the par-3 fifth green encircled by a tropical Mango and Guava tree forest
3. Poipu Bay Golf Course (www.poipubaygolf.com, 800.858.6300)
Along with Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort & Spa rated No. 16 in GolfWorld’s “America’s Top 50 Resort Courses, 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
Course is currently closed for greens renovation with a reopening planned for December 2010
4. Puakea Golf Club (www.puakeagolf.com, 866.773.5554)
Consistently rated a favorite among Kaua’i golfers in local media outlets and ranked as the No. 15 course in Hawaii by Golfweek.
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
About the KVB and HVCB
The Kaua’i Visitors Bureau is a division of the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau, which is contracted by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA), the state of Hawai’i’s tourism agency, for marketing management services in North America. The HTA was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawai’i tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawai’i’s economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.
Contact:
Gary Trask, 978.228.0314
Buffalo Communications
gtrask@billycaspergolf.com
Dan Shepherd, 703.891.3320
Buffalo Communications
dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
Covering the business of golf!
