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GOLF COURSES

  • Mauna Kea Golf Course

     

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    Mauna Kea Golf Course
    62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive
    Kohala Coast, HI 96743 USA
    (808) 882-5400
    www.maunakeagolf.com

     

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  • Mauna Kea Golf Course

    50 Years: Mauna Kea Celebrates Great Golf and a Fine Resort

    Courtesy of Jason Scott Deegan
    TravelGolf.com

    Mauna Kea Golf Course

    Mauna Kea Golf Course offers scenic views of the Kohala Mountains and the ocean.

    KOHALA COAST, Hawaii -- It was the white sand in a crescent-shaped cove that attracted Laurance S. Rockefeller to the Kauna'oa Beach in his quest in 1960 to build a grand resort on Hawaii's Big Island.

    Rockefeller asked if his helicopter could land, so he could go for a swim. Looking up at the looming summit of Mauna Kea inspired him to build a vacation paradise in that very spot. At the time, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was the most expensive resort ever built, completed for $15 million in 1965.

    Fifty years later, this same scenic setting still causes guests to fall for Mauna Kea.

    The 252-room hotel looks brand new all over again thanks to a multi-million dollar renovation of its rooms and suites in its beachfront wing. The rest of the resort experienced a $150 million rebirth in 2008 following a two-year-closure after an earthquake.

    The grand celebration of Mauna Kea's golden anniversary is scheduled for July 24, 2015 -- 50 years to the day of the hotel's opening. Throughout the year, resort staff will give back to the community through charitable acts called "50 Acts of Aloha." The yearlong celebration is appropriately themed, "What was, is."

    Mauna Kea Golf Course

    The resort moved its traditional summer pro-am to December in 2014 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Mauna Kea Golf Course, its stunning Robert Trent Jones Sr. design.

    Rees Jones, who restored the course in 2008, and golf personality Mark Rolfing acted as celebrity hosts at the pro-am banquet, telling stories and answering questions about one of Hawaii's greatest golf treasures. They shared the tale of golf's Big Three -- Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player -- who played together during the course's official grand opening Dec. 8, 1964. As the story goes, Nicklaus wanted to play from the tips at the third hole, an epic par 3 requiring a 260-plus yard carry to the green perched on a rocky cliff above the ocean. Nicklaus knew the diminutive Player would have trouble clearing the cove. Even with today's high-flying equipment, it takes a once-in-a-lifetime swing to make it safely across.

    The shot is indicative of the challenges of Mauna Kea, arguably the toughest Big Island golf course. Deep, imposing bunkers ring almost every green. A number of severely elevated greens make matters even more difficult. Its four par 3s, headlined by the third and 11th holes right on the ocean, rank among the best collections in golf.

    Mauna Kea: The resort

    Away from the beach and the golf, Mauna Kea's dining scene might be its best asset. The Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar serves a great breakfast buffet as the sun comes up. When darkness falls, it becomes a romantic retreat with an extensive wine program. After the meal, guests can wander down to the shore to see if the mantas have gathered to feed on the plankton attracted by the lights.

    The new Number 3 restaurant at the golf clubhouse provides a casual meal after a round. Hau Tree serves snacks and lunch for patrons right on the beach. A twice weekly luau, traditional Sunday brunch and clambake on the beach are special events regularly on the schedule.

    The Mauna Kea Spa by Mandara and the 2,500-square-foot fitness center have been recently enhanced. Even a day at the beach feels upgraded with new services, activities and equipment. Cultural classes include lei-making, hula dancing, crafts and Hawaiian music. A seaside tennis club sports 11 courts.

    The fascinating Asian/Pacific art collection that decorates the hotel's public spaces features more than 1,600 pieces gathered by Rockefeller and Davis Allen in 1965. They accentuate the timeless elegance of Mauna Kea. The world might move at light-speed these days, but life tends to slows down at the resort.

    Go to the beach. Hit the spa. Sip a cocktail at the pool. Play golf along the Pacific. Relax, people. Mauna Kea practically demands it.

  • Course Photos

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    • Mauna Kea Golf Course
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    • Mauna Kea Golf Course
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    • Mauna Kea Golf Course
    • Mauna Kea Golf Course
    • Mauna Kea Golf Course
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    • Mauna Kea Golf Course

    Before & After Photos

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    • Mauna Kea Golf Course
    • Mauna Kea Golf Course
    • Mauna Kea Golf Course
    • Mauna Kea Golf Course
  • IN THE NEWS

    Tuxedo Club

    The Tuxedo Club
    The Tuxedo Club has begun a multi-million-dollar renovation of its historic Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed golf course.

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  • TOURNAMENT VENUES

    East Lake Golf Club

    Next: Tour Championship
    Date: August 25 - 28, 2022
    East Lake Golf Club
    Atlanta, GA, USA

    MORE TOURNAMENT VENUES

  • REES JONES, INC. DESIGN TEAM

    Golf Course Design Associates

    The talented golf course architects at Rees Jones, Inc. represent nearly 110 years of experience in golf course design, construction, and project management.

    MORE ABOUT THE DESIGN TEAM

  • VIDEO

    Coral Ridge

    Ocean Winds - Behind the Renovation
    A recent renovation of the Ocean Winds Course at the Seabrook Island Club makes it even more incredible.

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©Rees Jones, Inc.    55 South Park Street   Montclair, New Jersey 07042    Phone: 973.744.4031   Fax: 973.744.1044   www.reesjonesinc.com