Kaua‘i Shines in Golfweek’s “America’s Best Resort Courses, 2016”
(KAUA‘I, Hawaii) – Princeville Makai Golf Club and Poipu Bay Golf Course were ranked among the nation’s top resort courses in Golfweek’s “America’s Best Resort Courses, 2016,” published last week. Golfweek deploys more than 700 experienced raters each year to survey thousands of courses based on variety of categories: holes, strength of conditioning, natural setting, routing, shaping and management. “Many people know about our island beaches, lush mountains and waterfalls, and awards like this let golfers know that our courses are equally amazing,” said Sue Kanoho, Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau Executive Director. “Princeville Makai and Poipu Bay are the tip of our golf iceberg – Ocean Course at Hōkūala (formerly Kiele Course at Kaua‘i Lagoons), Wailua and Puakea combine to offer visitors many additional first-class playing options.” Princeville Makai was designed by golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. An amenity of the St. Regis Princeville Resort, Makai offers amazing Pacific Ocean scenery, excellent conditions and service, and a variety of scintillating holes. The par-3 7th hole requires a tee shot over an ocean cove and stunning views of nearby Mount Makana jutting into the sea. Poipu Bay was also authored by Trent Jones Jr., and it is renowned for a closing stretch of holes that sit atop 100-foot-high red-faced cliffs towering over the shoreline. PGA TOUR legend Phil Mickelson holds the course record at Poipu Bay, an amenity of Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa. Both Princeville Makai and Poipu Bay were recently renovated and received rave reviews for their restorations. For more information about Kaua‘i Golf courses and resorts, visit www.golfkauaihawaii.com and register to there to receive monthly e-news and prize offers for free golf, or www.facebook.com/KauaiGolf.
About Kaua‘i Golf Kaua‘i offers more than 50 miles of white sand beaches -- more beach per mile than any other island in Hawaii – with only five percent of the island developed for commercial and residential use. Kaua‘i Golf (www.golfKauaihawaii.com) is a destination with 5 world-class golf courses and 3 award-winning resorts. 1. Princeville Makai Golf Club (808.826.1912) • Re-opened in 2010 following an extensive renovation. The Makai Course has since been ranked by Golf Digest as one of "America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses" 2015 and ranked No. 4 by Golfweek in Hawaii’s “Best Courses You Can Play” 2015. • Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the 18-hole Makai Course incorporates serene lakes and stunning ocean coastline; the leisurely 9-hole Woods Course winds through native woodlands against a backdrop of lush mountains • The St. Regis Princeville Resort is home to the Halele’a Spa and The Kaua‘i Grill by Jean-Georges Vongerichten 2. The Ocean Course at Hōkūala (formerly Kiele Course at Kaua’i Lagoons) (800.634.6400) • In 2015 was voted No. 10 in Hawaii in Golfweek magazine’s “Best Courses You Can Play” by State. It has also been named one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Golf Courses” by MSN Travel. • The championship 18-hole Ocean Course features the longest continuous stretch of ocean holes in Hawaii with over ½ mile of oceanfront golf. • The front nine holes are highlighted by the par-3, fifth green encircled by a tropical Mango and Guava tree forest. • The only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf experience on Kaua‘i. Enhancements commence in 2016. 3. Poipu Bay Golf Course (800.858.6300) • Along with Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa, Poipu Bay has been honored by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the top golf resorts in the U.S. • Named to Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses" 2013-2014 and Golfweek’s “Americaʻs Top 100 Resort Courses” 2015 • 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 • A Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design, the course underwent renovation and unveiled the eco-friendly Seashore Paspalum turf on all greens in 2011. Its four closing holes play atop a 150-foot sea cliff. • The Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa completed a renovation in 2012 and features a water playground with river pool, waterfalls, a saltwater lagoon, tennis and the celebrated Anara Spa 4. Puakea Golf Course (866.773.5554) • Rated "Best of Kaua‘i" in 2015 and 2014 by local golfers, ranked the No. 15 best course in Hawaii by Golfweek • Golf Course Architect Robin Nelson used the natural layout of the land when he planned the course, testing all levels of play • Puakea's 18 holes treat golfers to beautiful views of Mt. Ha'upu and deep lush ravines on several holes, which served as the backdrop to the original Jurassic Park movie • Owned by AOL co-Founder Steve Case 5. Wailua Golf Course (808.241.6666) • Regarded as one of the most beautiful municipal courses in the U.S., Wailua was recently named the No. 3 public course in Hawaii by Golf Channel • The course’s original holes date back to the 1920’s. The course expanded to 18 holes in 1962 under the direction of Hawaii Golf Hall of Famer Toyo Shirai. • Easily accessible from the Lihue airport, the scenic public course is a favorite of island golfers and tourists alike. For more information on golf on Kaua’i and to stay up-to-date on the latest news and happenings, visit www.golfkauaihawaii.com.
