Jack Nicklaus will be on the island of Kaua’i this week to review the much-anticipated renovation project at Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Club, which includes the addition of another ocean hole.
The original designer, Nicklaus will be at Kauai Lagoons on Friday, Aug. 20 to ensure it meets his exacting and acclaimed standards. Renovation of the Kiele Ocean back nine holes began in June and is expected to be completed in May, 2011. Currently 18 of the 36 holes designed by Nicklaus there … adjacent to the Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach … are in play, consisting of nine holes from the Kiele Course and nine holes from the Mokihana Course.
“We look forward to receiving Mr. Nicklaus’s feedback on the Kauai Lagoons’ renovation,” said Kaua’i Lagoons Director of Golf Scott Ashworth, PGA. “The Kiele Course has been rated one of the best courses in the country since it opened, and Mr. Nicklaus’s design portfolio speaks for itself, so our expectations for the new, enhanced Kiele are immense.”
The Kiele “Ocean” back nine will include three new holes and the renovation of six holes. Upon completion it will feature a half-mile stretch of oceanfront holes … the longest in golf-rich Hawaii. All renovated holes will receive new irrigation, greens, bunkers, and drainage. Many of the holes will also have some minor design changes as well. A new first hole of the third nine at Kauai Lagoons is also being added.
Nicklaus … who has many course designs ranked among the world’s best by leading golf magazines … will review the newly designed first hole of the third nine and the first two holes of the former Kiele back nine, which are new golf holes that have been shaped with new bunkers and greens in place. Nicklaus said he wants to sign off on these holes before grassing begins. He will also observe the 11th, 12th and 13th holes … a scintillating stretch of holes approaching and bordering the Pacific … and provide guidance on the work at Hole No. 15, a brand-new ocean hole.
The signature 16th hole … which hugs the coastline and has a green that sits on lava rock overlooking Nawiliwili Harbor … will have its gorgeous layout remain intact, but add a new green, irrigation and bunker sand. Nicklaus has also indicated he would like to provide direction for the substantial changes being made to the greens on the 17th and 18th holes.
Renovation of the Kiele front nine and the Mokihana holes is scheduled to begin in 2012 and will eventually give Kaua’i Lagoons 27 Jack Nicklaus Signature golf holes.
The Kaua’i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach is oceanfront property that 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 at “Top 50 Resort Course.”
For more information visit Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Club at www.kauailagoonsgolf.com or the Kaua’i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach at www.kauaimarriott.com.
