(VIENNA, VA) – Billy Casper Golf Regional Manager Ed Kageyama, based in Hawaii, was recently recognized by Golf Inc. magazine as one of the “Most Innovative People in Golf,” awarded to only 18 industry professionals worldwide.
In addition to his role as General Manager of Ka’anapali Golf Courses on Maui, Kageyama oversees BCG operations teams at Puakea and Kukuiolono golf courses on Kauai, and Bay View Golf Course on Oahu. The 14-year BCG veteran and 22-year PGA member also guides the company’s consultancy in Asia.
Kageyama’s leadership parallels Golf Inc.’s description of innovators as “creative minds, risk takers and cutting-edge heroes who improve the golf industry through new ideas, fearless moxie and a love of the game.”
A Kageyama hallmark is developing programs which help golfers find new ways to discover, play and enjoy the social, competitive and wellness aspects of golf:
Golf My Way assists golfers in managing their busy schedules by allowing them to play 18 holes over seven days.
The Ka’anapali FIT Club is a golf fitness program akin to a monthly gym membership that brings back golfers who were on a hiatus due to other fitness activities. Now they achieve weight loss, stamina increase and energy rise on the golf course.
The Ka’anapali Juniors Play Free program began in 2003 before it became an industry “norm.” At the time, Kageyama was heavily questioned for donating rounds of golf during summer months when Ka’anapali Resort was laden with family guests, but they were not playing golf. Juniors Play Free increased youth rounds from 200 to more than 1,500 over a three-month period, and the juniors were accompanied by 1,500 paying adults.
Keiki (kids) tees from 100 to 150 yards on each hole make juniors feel special. Installed during Ka’anapali’s $13 million renovation in 2005, juniors receive a special scorecard with their own par and a crayon to record scores, further promoting Ka’anapali’s family-fun environment.
“As a father, I don’t want to spend vacation time away from my kids, so there’s a need to find activities we can do together,” says Kageyama. “Playing golf with my dad on vacation are some of my greatest memories – it’s a fun, healthy family activity, with no distractions.”
“Ed Kageyama has superbly transformed Ka’anapali, and his ability to innovate infectiously sets Billy Casper Golf apart,” says Peter Hill, Chairman and CEO of BCG. “Ed sets the tone at other BCG courses in Hawaii, making the Golf Inc. recognition even more deserving.”
At Ka’anapali’s helm since 2002, Kageyama manages daily operations, including 300 acres of turf and landscape maintenance, more than 90 employees, the retail operation, sales and marketing, finance, budgeting and accounting.
Kageyama was named one of the “Top 20 Most Admired Golf Operators” by Golf Inc. in 2008 and 2010.
The Royal Ka’anapali Course, a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design, opened in 1962 and has tested the skills of professional and amateur golfers. A par-71, 6,700-yard layout, the Royal Course combines wide fairways and undulating greens, making it distinctive, demanding and exciting, hole to hole. With more than 45 years of tournament history, the Royal Course has hosted many of golf’s greatest legends: Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Billy Casper and Jan Stephenson.
The Ka’anapali Kai Course – a par-70, 6,400-yard gem – places an emphasis on proper club selection and placement off the tee, allowing for a better approach shot into the large, bunker-protected greens.
The golf courses underwent a $13 million renovation in 2005-2006 and the Royal Course was given a 4.5-star rating (out of five) by Golf Digest in the magazine’s recent “Best Places to Play” guide. Ka’anapali was selected by The Golf Channel to host “Big Break Ka’anapali” that aired in 2008 and the Royal Course was ranked No. 11 “Best Tour Course You can Play” by Golfweek magazine in 2009.
For more information about Ka’anapali or to reserve a tee time: www.kaanapaligolfcourses.com, 808.661.3691.
About Billy Casper Golf
BCG is the largest domestic owner-operator of golf course, country clubs and resorts, with more than 140 properties under its turnkey management. Founded more than 20 years ago in cooperation with golf legend Billy Casper, the company is headquartered in Vienna, VA with regional offices strategically convenient to courses’ locales.
A division of BCG, Buffalo Communications is the leading global golf-lifestyle public relations, branding, marketing-communications, graphics and strategic services firm representing the LPGA, PGA National Resort & Spa, Sea Pines Resort, Ballybunion Golf Club (Ireland), Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, Sun Valley Resort, Mission Hills Resort (China), Fila Golf, ECCO, Club Glove and other top brands.
For more information: 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
@BillyCasperGolf
