The Latest in Luxury Resort & Real Estate News

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Jack Nicklaus to Visit Kaua'i Lagoons Golf Club Renovation Project

(KAUAI, HAWAII) -- Jack Nicklaus will be on the island of Kauai 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 today 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  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 are 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."

Kaua'i offers more than 50 miles of white sand beaches -- more beach per mile than any other island in Hawaii.  Only four percent of the island is developed for commercial and residential use.

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Royal Kaanapali Golf Course Launches Health, Wellness Program

(KAANAPALI, MAUI) -- Ka'anapali's Royal Ka'anapali Course, which is managed by Billy Casper Golf, has introduced the Ka'anapali FIT CLUB, a program promoting health and wellness through golf.

Participants pay $50 a month for access to walk the first six holes of the course each day after 4 p.m. based on availability. Acting like a fitness or gym membership, the program encourages golfers to become 'fit' and, by playing more frequently during a month, receive additional benefits at the course. Pull-carts are available for a $10 rental.

"We've been thrilled by the positive response from both visitors and our local golfers," says Ed Kageyama, PGA General Manager of Ka'anapali. "This is a great way to get back to the roots of golf - walk the course, have fun and foster camaraderie all while engaging in healthy exercise."

With a shortage courses for golfers to walk, this program offers a 'pau hana' activity or allows guests to enjoy a healthy endeavor on Ka'anapali's award winning course after a day at the beach. The FIT CLUB program has already created a community of walkers - more than 750 rounds per month - from families and friends to resort employees who play after work.

The Royal Ka'anapali Course, a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design, opened in 1962 and has tested the skills of professional and amateur golfers.  A par-71, 6,700-yard layout, the Royal Course combines wide fairways and undulating greens, making it distinctive, demanding and exciting, hole to hole.  With more than 45 years of tournament history, including the Wendy's Champions Skins Game and the Women's Kemper Open, the Royal Course has hosted many of golf's greatest legends:  Arnold Palmer, Nicklaus, Billy Casper, Jan Stephenson and Nancy Lopez.

The golf courses underwent a $13 million renovation in 2006-2007 and was given a 4.5-star rating (out of five) by Golf Digest in the magazine's recent "Best Places to Play" guide. Ka'anapali was selected by The Golf Channel to host Big Break Ka'anapali that aired in 2008 and the Royal Course was ranked the No. 11 "Best Tour Course You Can Play" by Golfweek magazine in 2009.

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