Kaanapali North Undergoing Renovations

Kaanapali Golf Courses – a Billy Casper Golf-managed property – has announced that the Tournament North Course is undergoing a number of layout renovations and will re-open for play in November. Part of a two-year, $13 million investment to enhance Kaanapali’s courses and golf facilities, Robin Nelson – a golf architect with more than 30 courses in Hawaii to his credit – is overseeing the work on North. Last year, Nelson completed a redesign of Kaanapali’s Resort South Course.

While the Tournament North Course is closed, players can enjoy South, which now features a new array of strategically-placed bunkers, contoured fairways and re-shaped and resurfaced greens. The Resort South Course offers ocean vistas, while Nelson’s enhancements place a premium on strategy off the tee, accuracy with approach shots and a deft touch around the greens.

“We are excited to begin upgrading the storied Tournament North Course,” said Kaanapali’s general manager Ed Kageyama. “Nelson’s renovations will be more of a nip/tuck approach than a complete overhaul of the layout.”

Tifeagle Bermuda grass will be used on the North’s putting surfaces – the same turf used during last year’s renovation of the Resort South Course, a par-70, 6,400-yard layout. The tees, fairways and rough will be converted to a hybrid Bermuda variety.

“Greens with Tifeagle Bermuda are a revelation to putt as we’ve seen on the Resort South Course,” says Kageyama. “Not only do the surfaces roll quick and true, this premier turf grass will help to bring out all the subtleties of Robin Nelson’s brilliant greens.”

Phase I of the multi-million dollar project began with the renovation of the Resort South Course in April 2005. Emphasizing the property’s Hawaiian roots – Kaanapali was once the playground to families of the island’s kings and queens – the logo shop was also remodeled. “As part of the ‘face-lift’ to the North, we will add and alter landscaping to improve the definition of several holes,” says Kageyama. “The new bunkering will also be visually striking. Guests can look forward to a whole new look and feel to the Kaanapali experience later this fall.”

For more information about Kaanapali Golf Courses, call 808/661-3691 or visit www.kaanapali-golf.com.