Jack Nicklaus visits Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Club
Jack Nicklaus made his much-anticipated return to Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Club– to review the extensive renovation taking place there – and left satisfied that the award-winning, nationally feted course will be better than ever when it reopens (scheduled for next spring).
“It’s great to be back here in Hawaii and at Kaua‘i Lagoons, which has always been one of my favorite golf courses,” said Nicklaus, the original designer of the course. “The new holes we are building are going to fit in nicely with what golfers have come to expect from the Kiele Golf Course – great golf holes with beautiful ocean panoramic views.”
Upon completion, Kaua‘i Lagoons will feature 27 Jack Nicklaus Signature holes, including the longest stretch of ocean holes in Hawaii.
The massive project is currently in the first of three phases. Phase I broke ground in June and is expected to be completed in May 2011. It involves building three new holes – including a new ocean hole – and renovating six others on the renowned Kiele Back 9. All renovated holes will receive new irrigation, greens, bunkers, and drainage.
Currently 18 of the 36 holes designed by Nicklaus at Kaua‘i Lagoons – adjacent to the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach – are in play, consisting of nine holes from Kiele and nine holes from the Mokihana Golf Course.
During his five-hour examination of the project, Nicklaus – whose designs consistently rank among the world’s best by industry critics – observed the renovation on the Kiele back nine as well as the changes that are being planned for the Kiele front nine and the Mokihana holes. The golf icon also engaged with fans during the visit and signed a number of autographs.
“It was exciting to have Mr. Nicklaus back here at Kaua‘i Lagoons,” said Director of Golf Scott Ashworth, PGA. “He has a tremendous amount of energy and focus for this project because he is so fond of the golf course.”
Kaua‘i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach just completed a $50-million makeover last month. Earlier this summer, the resort was included on Conde Nast Traveler's prestigious list of “Top 80 Golf Resorts” and last year GolfWorld magazine named it a “Top 50 Resort Course.”
For more information visit Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Club at kauailagoonsgolf.com or the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach at kauaimarriott.com.
