Kaua’i News & Notes: ‘Garden Isle’ Set to Embrace Summer Tourism

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(KAUA’I, Hawaii) — According to a report conducted by Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), nearly 2.4 million available seats are expected to arrive on nonstop flights to the state May through July, a projected increase of nearly 4% compared to the same period last year. The majority of traffic will come from the mainland U.S. with an estimated 1.7 million travelers anticipated to land in Hawaii.

The bulk of those travelers will originate from the U.S. West where the number of flights is expected to rise 5.7%. The DBEDT is projecting big gains in California cities such asOakland (100.6%) and San Diego (83.3%). In the Midwest, Chicago is expected to see a 32.4% rise.

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The DBEDT report is based on information in the Official Airline Guide flight schedules as of April.

“We are prepared and excited to host the summer arrival of visitors given the many new and enhanced attractions on Kaua’i — from restaurants and resorts to golf courses with incredible views,” said Sue Kanoho, Executive Director of the Kaua’i Visitors Bureau. “And, of course, our tranquil beaches, abundant beauty and variety of recreation options — something for everyone in the family — remain as inviting as ever.”

Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Director Scott Ashworth named Marriott Golf Pro of the Year

Scott Ashworth, Director of Golf at Kaua’i Lagoons, continues to be rewarded for his exceptional service after being named Marriott’s Golf Professional of the Year for 2009 last month. One professional from 60 golf courses in 45 different locations in 15 different countries is considered for this award, which was presented to Ashworth by Kaua’i Area General Manager Brad Snyder and Bill Nault, Marriott’s Senior Vice President of Golf.

“This is not an individual award for me,” said Ashworth, who helped establish the Junior Golf program at Kaua’i Lagoons, which is adjacent to the Kaua’i Marriott Resort & Beach Club. “This goes to everyone here. The amount we’ve had to adapt and change and to see everyone do it, and be genuinely nice to each other is pretty cool.”

In 2008, Ashworth, a 1993 University of Washington graduate, was named the Aloha Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year. He was also honored as the recipient of the PGA’s Horton Smith Award (2007), which is presented to a golf professional for outstanding and continuing contributions to the PGA’s educational programs. In addition, Ashworth received the PGA’s Strausbaugh Award in 2009 for mentoring fellow PGA professionals as well as the Billy Casper Golf Head Professional of the Year.

Puakea Golf Course Offering Golf Privileges to Junior Golfers

The Annual Kids Play Free campaign begins June 1 at Puakea Golf Course and runs through August. During these summer months, kids under the age of 18 can play the course for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

On the practice tee, teaching professional Ronnie Castillo Jr. has become well-known for his high-tech gadgets. The 2009 Aloha Section PGA Teacher of the Year’s latest innovation is an iPhone app called iSwing that allows him to video his students’ swing with his iPhone and then e-mail it. Castillo is utilizing the new app on the lesson tee, putting green and during course lessons for immediate visual feedback to players.

Poipu Bay Greens Renovation Project Progressing Nicely

Poipu Bay Golf Course closed its fairways April 1 to begin a greens renovation project that will install Seashore Paspalum, an eco-friendly turf that requires less water and chemicals. According to Director of Golf Craig Sasada, planting has begun and the course is on schedule to be completed for a December re-opening. Typically it takes a minimum of 120 days of growing time for each green.

Poipu Bay, a Robert Trent Jones Jr., design that is adjacent to the Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort &  Spa on the South Shore of Kaua’i, is also renovating its bunkers as well as leveling some of its tee boxes. The course is the previous host of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

The Poipu Bay golf shop has remained open during the project and there are excellent merchandise deals available.

‘Tease for Two’ Package at Prince Golf Course Caters to Spa and Golf Lovers

Traveling couples with varied interests are taking advantage of a new package at the Princeville Prince Golf Course and its Princeville Spa. The versatile “Tease For Two” package is designed for two people, but the package can also be used by an individual who wants to enjoy golf and a massage. Or, with the purchase of two packages, a couple can indulge in a round of golf and a massage for both of them.

“Tease for Two” includes: an 18-hole round of golf for one player on the Prince Course, including shared cart, bottled water, same-day use of practice facility, and a souvenir logo ball; one complimentary rider, if desired; a Kaua’i-made welcome amenity at check-in; a 50-minute massage at the Princeville Spa with choice of aromatherapy, lomi lomi, shiatsu, sports, or Swedish massage therapies; and a day pass for both individuals to use the spa facilities, including private locker, exercise classes, weight room, 25-meter lap pool, outdoor whirlpool, dry sauna, and steam room. The golf and spa services are not required to take place on the same day.

The “Tease for Two” package is $275 (plus tax) through Dec. 31. Price may be subject to change, and some blackout dates may apply.

Makai Golf Club Offering Free Play to Juniors Under Age 15

The Makai Golf Club at The St. Regis Princeville Resort is making a great deal even better for junior golfers.

On the heels of the Troon Family Golf program announcement that allows juniors to play free after 3 p.m. when playing with an adult at more than 60 Troon facilities across the U.S., the Makai Golf Club is taking the program one step further. Juniors age 15 and under can play free of charge any time, any day with no 3 p.m. restriction. Juniors ages 16 and 17 receive 50% off green fees.

To qualify for this offer, each junior player must be accompanied by a paying adult (one free junior per one paying adult). All junior players can also use complimentary Callaway rental clubs while on the course.

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 Hawai’i.  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, 800.826.1105)

  • 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 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 one of the “Top 50 Resort Courses” worldwide by GolfWorld magazine in its “2009 Readers’ Choice Awards”
  • 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.
  • The Kiele Course 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
  • 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

REPORT SUBMITTED by 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.

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