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Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa has partnered with Kona Country Club, Makalei Golf Club and Big Island Country Club to offer golfers the opportunity to experience three of the island’s most unique golf courses.

“Hawaii Island is an island of adventure and for many residents and guests, that adventure includes golf,” said Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa Area Managing Director and General Manager Steve Lindburg. “We’re pleased to offer an attractively-priced golf package so that more of our guests might enjoy some of the finest courses in Hawaii that happen to be right here in our community.”

The new Kona Golf Trail Package begins at just $259 per night for two golfers in a partial ocean view room. The package requires a minimum three night stay so that each of the three courses can be experienced.

Players might begin their Kona Golf Trail experience by teeing it up on one of Kona Country Club’s two 18-hole courses within steps of Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa. Both courses can challenge the expert, yet prove entirely manageable for the novice.

Kona Country Club’s Ocean Course was designed by William Bell. Its natural settings hug the Pacific Ocean while offering gorgeous mountain views, wide, lush fairways, Bermuda grass greens and numerous sand bunkers. Championship Tee: Par 72, 6613 yards, Slope Rating 129, USGA rating 72.8.

Kona Country Club’s Mountain Course with breathtaking Kona coastline views, trails of ancient lava flows, and a cool mountain setting, was designed by William Bell and Nelson and Robin Wright. The course’s manicured Bermuda greens, elevated tees, numerous bunkers and three lakes make for challenging yet fun play. Championship Tee: Par 72, 6494 yard, Slope Rating 116, USGA rating 69.

Makalei Golf Club was designed by Dick Nugent & Associates. It boasts an elevation range from 1,800 to 2,850 feet. The layout in a cool, scenic, lush forest is an alternative to the island’s coastal golf course experiences. The temperate climate and elevation offer a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. Features at Makalei include Bent grass greens, lava tubes, cinder cones and a stone wall dating back more than a century. Championship Tee: Par 72, 7091 yards, Slope Rating 144 USGA rating 74.3.

Big Island Country Club’s par 72 course is designed to be enjoyable for novices through expert players. Designed by famed golf architect Perry Dye, the course features wide fairways and water in play on nine of the 18 holes. Its spectacular location and scenic beauty add to its well-deserved reputation along with wide, gently rolling Bermuda grass fairways, medium-size undulating Bent grass greens, and an abundance of water. Championship Tee: Par 72, 7034 yards, Slope Rating 136, USGA rating 73.9.

Golf only for two persons to play these three courses could easily add up to more than $650. With a three-night stay in one of Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa’s spacious partial ocean view rooms inclusive of three rounds of golf for two totaling as little as $727 (plus taxes and resort service fees), the Kona Golf Trail package is a golfer’s value-added golf dream vacation come true.

— Find out more:
www.SheratonKeauhou.co…

David Eger getting ready to tee off on Sunday. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

MEDIA RELEASE

* Jan. 20-22 at Kaupulehu, Hualalai Golf Course
Charles Schwab Cup points: 307
Purse: $1,800,000
Par/Yards: 36-36—72/7,107

Weather: Sunny with highs in the low-80s and winds from the WSW in the afternoon at 10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.

Dan Forsman went to the top of Mauna Kea, one of the world’s highest volcanoes, early in the week. He went a bit higher on Sunday afternoon at Hualalai, winning the season-opening event on the 2012 Champions Tour. Forsman played steady golf throughout the day and won the tournament when he managed to get up and down from greenside bunkers twice on the back nine.

At the par-5 14th hole, Forsman hit a spectacular third shot from the sand to within a foot for birdie. Forsman’s key birdie moved his margin back to three strokes after Jay Don Blake had birdied the par-4 15th hole just moments earlier.

Forsman then saved par from the back greenside bunker at No. 16 to maintain a two-stroke cushion over Blake who would go on to sink a 25-foot birdie at the final hole to post 13-under. Forsman then made two pars on the last two holes for the victory.

Final Leaderboard: 1) Dan Forsman/201 (-15); 2) Jay Don Blake/203 (-13); T3) Michael Allen & John Cook/204 (-12); T5) Gary Hallberg & Jeff Sluman/205 (-11)

Dan Forsman won his third career title on the Champions Tour and first since the 2010 Regions Charity Classic, ending a victory drought of 36 starts or one year, eight months and six days. His best finish in two previous appearances at this event was a T16 last year. Forsman only had one top-10 finish last year on the Champions Tour, a T4 at the Montreal Championship.

Dan Forsman earned 307 Charles Schwab Cup points and his first-place check for $307,000 was his largest on the Champions Tour. He also earned a return trip to the Mitsubishi Electric Championship for the next two years.

Dan Forsman’s winning total of 15-under 201 was the highest to claim the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai since 2000 when the late George Archer triumphed by two strokes with a 9-under 207 total.

Dan Forsman’s lowest 54-hole scores on the Champions Tour:
Event Score Eventual Finish
2010 Regions Charity Classic 196 (-20) Won
2011 Montreal Championship 200 (-16) T4
2012 Mitsubishi Electric Championship 201 (-15) Won

Residents of Utah went 1-2 this week at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai as Dan Forsman (Provo) and Jay Don Blake (St. George) did The Beehive State proud. For Blake is was his third time in the last six events finishing either first or second.

A winner of the Songdo IBD Championship and the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship late last year, Blake almost duplicated defending champion John Cook’s feat from a year ago of winning the last event and the first official event of the following season.

Mark Calcavecchia’s closing 66 Sunday vaulted him up into a T7 this week at Hualalai, his seventh straight top-10 finish on the Champions Tour dating back to his victory last fall at the Boeing Classic near Seattle. He’s now been par/better in his last 14 rounds dating back to the 2010 campaign.

For the second straight year, the defending champion at Hualalai finished T3 the next year. John Cook made a spirited run at winning a second consecutive title, carding a 68 that included 31 on the back nine. In 2011, Tom Watson was T3 at this event and it proved to be the best effort by a defending champion last year.

Tom Watson was T7 this year at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, his ninth career top-10 at this event and third straight. Watson has the most top-10 finishes by a player in tournament history. His check for $60,000 this week increased his career earnings at this event to $1,078,083. Hale Irwin is still the tournament’s all-time leading money-winner with $1,132,937 while Dana Quigley is still second with $1,079,446.

Loren Roberts carded a 3-over 75 Sunday, ending his run of consecutive sub-par scores at Hualalai at 20 consecutive.

For the 12th consecutive year, the winner of this event has carded three rounds in the 60s and for the sixth time in the last seven years, the tournament winner has come from the final pairing. The lone exception during this stretch was John Cook last year (third-to-last grouping).

Breezy conditions produced a field stroke average of 72.000 on Sunday compared to 69.512 on Saturday and 69.610 on Friday. Overall, the cumulative stroke average of this year’s event was 70.374 compared to 68.746 last year.

The hardest hole at Hualalai this year was the par-3 5th hole, yielding just five birdies during the week. The stroke average at No. 5 this year was 3.634 vs. 3.246 last year when it played as the most difficult for the field.

Statistically Speaking: Bob Gilder and Bernhard Langer paced the field in Driving Accuracy this week (37/42 fairways, 88.10%) … David Eger and Dan Forsman hit the most Greens In Regulation (44/54, 81.48%) … John Cook and David Frost led the field in Putts Per Round, averaged only 26 per day … John Cook, Michael Allen, Jeff Sluman and Mark Calcavecchia all had 18 birdies this week, the most in the field … Olin Browne was the only player to make three eagles … Dan Forsman had the fewest birdies over 54 holes with just two.

Quote Of The Day

“I was really humbled to think I could be on top of this field of guys I’ve admired and competed against all my professional life. The chance to be on top of a distinguished group of players like this is something I’ll always cherish. You’ve got to be blessed to have opportunities like this and I feel like I am. I really do.” — Dan Forsman after winning the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai

— Find out more:

www.pgatour.com/tourna…

(Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Tom Lehman, teeing off on hole #1 on day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Brad Faxon teeing off at 11:35 today on the 1st hole, day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Michael Allen and Jay Haas. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

John Cook on day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Dan Forsman, 2012 champion, on day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Denis Watson watching his ball on the 1st hole, day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Tom Watson, day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Tom Lehman on the 1st hole, day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Loren Roberts, 1st hole, day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

MEDIA RELEASE

* Jan. 20-22 at Kaupulehu, Hualalai Golf Course
Charles Schwab Cup points: 307
Purse: $1,800,000
Par/Yards: 36-36—72/7,107

Weather: Sunny with highs in the low-80s and winds from the SW in the afternoon at 10-15 mph.

Dan Forsman birdied the final two holes to shoot a bogey-free 65 and take a two-stroke lead over Brad Bryant, Tom Watson and Jeff Sluman into Sundayy’s final round of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, the Champions Tour’s first event of the 2012 season.

After making par on the first six holes on Saturday, Forsman caught fire, scattering seven birdies over the remainder of his round, including six on the back nine. He needed just 21 total putts overall. Bryant had the field’s low round on Saturday, posting an 8-under 64 early in the day.

Round 2 Leaderboard: 1) Dan Forsman/132 (-12); T2) Brad Bryant, Jeff Sluman & Tom Watson/134 (-10); T5) Michael Allen & Jay Haas/135 (-9)

Dan Forsman’s score of 12-under-par 132 is the highest 36-hole total to lead the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai since Tom Kite was at 12-under after two rounds in 2002. In the last 11 years, the champion’s average winning score has been 21 under par.

Saturday marks just the third time that Dan Forsman has held a Saturday lead on the Champions Tour. In 2010, Forsman led the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open after two rounds and went on to finish T3 in Endicott, NY. At the 2009 Administaff Small Business Classic near Houston, Forsman was the 36-hole leader and finished T4. The last time Forsman has led going into the final round and won was at the 1990 Shearson Lehman Hutton Open on the PGA TOUR.

In the previous 28 Mitsubishi Electric Championships, the Saturday leader/co-leader has gone on to win 17 times. However, in the last eight years at Hualalai, only Hale Irwin (2007) and Tom Watson (2010) managed to lead on Saturday and eventually prevail. Last year, John Cook trailed Russ Cochran by three strokes after 36 holes, but shot 64 in the final round and defeated Tom Lehman by two.

The winner of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai will receive 307 Charles Schwab Cup points in the season-long Schwab Cup race. Last year, Tom Lehman held off Mark Calcavecchia by 74 points to earn his first Schwab Cup.

Dan Forsman is shooting for his third career title on the Champions Tour and first win since the 2010 Regions Charity Classic. He finished T16 last year at Hualalai and T25 in his first trip to the Big Island in 2010. Forsman only had one top-10 finish last year and that was a T4 at the Montreal Championship.

There are only 10 players with a pair of sub-70 scores thus far in the 2012 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai. In the last 11 years at this venue, no winner of the event has had a round in the 70s.

The tournament winner has come from the last pairing in five of the last six years with John Cook’s victory from the third-to-last group last year being the exception.

62-year-old Tom Watson shot a bogey-free 65 Saturday and has put himself in position to win the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai for the second time in three years. Should Watson prevail tomorrow, he would surpass his own record of becoming the third oldest winner in Champions Tour history at 62 years, 4 months, 18 days. Last year when he won the Senior PGA Championship, Watson became the third oldest winner in Champions Tour annals at 61 years, 9 months, 25 days. He has the most career top-10 finishes at this event history with eight.

With similar conditions to Friday, only 19 of the 41 players in the field shot scores in the 60s Saturday vs. 23 sub-70 scores in Round 1. Through two rounds this year, there have been 19 eagles and 336 birdies made. At the 2011 event through 36 holes, there were 18 eagles and 386 birdies made. The field stroke average Saturday was 69.512 vs. 69.610 on Friday. The cumulative stroke average for the first two rounds this year is 69.561 vs. 68.880 last year.

Through the first two rounds, there have been just two birdies made at the par-4 15th hole and both came in Saturday’s round (Denis Watson, Mark McNulty). The hole has a stroke average of 4.268. Through the first 36 holes, no player in the field has made a bogey at the par-5 10th hole (4.146) and it’s given up 10 eagles and 50 birdies.

Loren Roberts, a champion at Hualalai in 2006, ran his streak of consecutive sub-par rounds to 20 straight with a 2-under 70 Saturday. It was only his third score ever in the 70s at Hualalai.

Olin Browne became the first player with two eagles in a round this year. Browne eagled both the par-5 (7th & 10th) holes. Last year en route to winning the U.S. Senior Open, Browne made a pair of eagles on Thursday at Inverness. Tom Lehman and Loren Roberts are the only other players with two eagles over the first 36 holes.

Statistically Speaking: Bob Gilder has missed just two fairways in the first two rounds (26/28-92.86%)…Russ Cochran and David Eger have both hit 28/36 greens in regulation (86.11%)…David Frost and Tom Watson have totaled only 51 putts…Dan Forsman has the most birdies (13) and both he and David Eger have only made one bogey thus far.

Quote Of The Day

“Hualalai is one of the most lovely spots in the world. Golf is almost a bonus here. There’s a lot to being able to spend time on this island and be a part of it.” — Tom Watson who owns a home of the Hualalai property

— Find out more:

www.pgatour.com/tourna…

MEDIA RELEASE

* Jan. 20-22 at Kaupulehu, Hualalai Golf Course
Charles Schwab Cup points: 307
Purse: $1,800,000
Par/Yards: 36-36—72/7,107

Weather: Sunny with highs in the low-80s and winds from the WSW in the afternoon at 10-15 mph.

Bruce Vaughan and Tom Lehman matched 7-under-par 65s to share the first-round lead of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, the opening event of the Champions Tour’s 33rd season. Vaughan took advantage of calm conditions in the morning and posted his 65 before the afternoon Kona winds kicked up and sent scores higher than normal.

Playing in the final pairing of the day, Lehman holed a 10-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to tie Vaughan for the top spot. A runner-up at Hualalai last year, Lehman went on to claim both Player of the Year and Charles Schwab Cup honors in 2011.

Lehman and Vaughan are one-stroke ahead of Brad Faxon, Loren Roberts, Corey Pavin and Jay Haas.

Vaughan is making his first start on the Champions Tour since last year’s Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship in late August. He earned a five-year exemption into this event when he won the 2008 Senior British Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Round 1 Leaderboard: T1) Tom Lehman & Bruce Vaughan/65 (-7); T3) Brad Faxon, Jay Haas, Corey Pavin and Loren Roberts/66 (-6); T7) Michael Allen & Dan Forsman/67 (-5)

Firsts of the year on the Champions Tour:

Eagle – Fuzzy Zoeller (par-5, 4th hole)
Birdie – Denis Watson (par-4, 2nd hole)
Sub-Par Round/Round In The 60s – Denis Watson (69)
Bogey-Free Round – Curtis Strange (70)

Today marks the first time since 2003 that leaders/co-leaders at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai posted a score higher than 64 on Friday. Nine years ago, three players were co-leaders after the first round with 66s.

Bruce Vaughan has now been a first-round leader/co-leader five times in his Champions Tour career, but today is the first time he’s been in this spot since the 2010 U.S. Senior Open at Sahalee. This is the third time Lehman has been among the first-round leaders since joining the Champions Tour in 2009, but the first time he’s been in this spot in a 54-hole event.

Since the tournament moved to Hualalai in 1997, seven first-round leaders/co-leaders have managed to go on to victory – Gil Morgan (1998), John Jacobs (1999), Tom Kite (2002), Dana Quigley (2003), Loren Roberts (2006), Bernhard Langer (2009) and Tom Watson (2010). Last year’s champ, John Cook, was T7 after the first round, posting a 6-under 66 on Friday.

Corey Pavin’s streak of bogey-free holes at Hualalai ended at 74 in a row after he made a five at the par-4 11th hole today. Pavin began his run of bogey-free holes on the 9th hole in the final round of the 2009 Mitsubishi Electric Championship and he then played all 54 holes last year without a blemish, finishing sixth in the event.

Loren Roberts, a champion at Hualalai in 2006, kicked off his 2012 season with a 6-under-par 66, his 19th consecutive sub-par round in the Mitsubishi Electric Championship and his 17th overall score in the 60s at this course. Since shooting 9-under 63 in the first round he ever played on the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout in 2006, Roberts is a cumulative 93-under-par!

23 of the 41 players in this week’s field shot rounds in the 60s today compared to 26 sub-70 scores in the 42-player field last year on Friday. The field average for today’s first round was 69.610 compared to 68.667 in the opening round last year. In 2008, the first-round scoring average was 67.537, the lowest ever on a Friday at Hualalai.

The par-5 10th hole again played as the easiest for the field, yielding seven eagles and 24 birdies today. No player in the field made a bogey there and the stroke average on the hole was 4.073.

Last year on Friday, the 10th gave up two eagles and 27 birdies on Friday with a stroke average of 4.262. It eventually would rank as the easiest hole on the 2011 Champions Tour. Playing into a strong wind, the par-4 11th hole was the most difficult (4.390) today. No birdies were made on the hole today and there were 26 pars, 14 bogeys and 1 double-bogey.

Six players made their first appearances in the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai today –Brad Faxon (-6/66), John Huston (-4/68), Jay Don Blake (-3/69), Mark Calcavecchia (-1/71), Olin Browne (even/72) and Kenny Perry (+1/73).

Today was Calcavecchia’s 12th straight par/better round dating back to last season. Seven players have claimed this championship in their first appearance with Loren Roberts being the last professional to do so in 2006…Larry Nelson, making his first appearance in the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai since 2006 , shot 1-over 73.

Defending champion John Cook opened his 2012 Champions Tour season with a 3-under 69. He’s now a cumulative 25-under over his last four rounds at Hualalai. Last year, Cook had just one bogey over his 54 holes, but today his bogey at No. 2 ended a run of 28 bogey-free holes dating back to last year. Cook also made the only double-bogey at No. 11 today after playing the back nine at Hualalai bogey free in 2011.

Statistically Speaking: Bob Gilder hit all 14 fairways today and Nick Price had the longest measured drive (343 yards/No. 4)…Dan Forsman (-5/67) hit all 18 greens in regulation…For the second straight year on Friday, the fewest putts by a player in the field was 24. Bruce Vaughan has just 12 putts on each side. Last year, Ben Crenshaw had only 24 putts in Round 1…Tom Lehman (65), Jay Haas (66), Bernhard Langer (68), Tom Kite (69) and Curtis Strange (70) all had bogey-free rounds today.

Quote Of The Day

“Last year I had three wins in my first seven starts, but the key to my season was that it was a steady year overall. There’s no pressure on me to do anything spectacular in 2012. I’ll just try to keep doing what I’ve been doing and we’ll see what happens.” — Round 1 co-leader Tom Lehman, the 2011 Champions Tour Player of the Year and Charles Schwab Cup winner

— Find out more:

www.pgatour.com/tourna…

MEDIA RELEASE

Dates: Jan. 16-22, 2012
Course: Hualalai Golf Course; Kaupulehu-Kona, Hawaii
Par/Yards: 36-36—72/7,107
Year Opened: 1996
Course Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Field: 41 professionals Format: 54-hole stroke-play event with no cut.
Purse: $1,800,000
Television: Golf Channel; 1:30-4 p.m. Friday; 2:30-5 p.m. Saturday; 2:30-5 p.m. Sunday

THE 2021 CHAMPIONS TOUR: This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the PGA TOUR’s Champions Tour and the Mitsubishi Electric Championship is first of 23 official events on the 2012 schedule. The official season concludes with the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, Oct. 29-Nov. 4, at Desert Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Champions Tour’s primary purpose is to provide significant competitive and earnings opportunities for players age 50 and older, to protect the integrity of the game and to help grow the reach of the game in the U.S. and around the world.

ABOUT THE MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CHAMPIONSHIP AT HUALALAI: The Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai will open a Champions Tour season for the 29th consecutive time this year and the event is one of the oldest tournaments on the circuit.

It was first played as the Senior Tournament of Champions in 1984 and the venue was LaCosta Country Club in Carlsbad, Calif., from 1984-1994. The limited-field tournament then moved to the Hyatt Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico in 1995 and 1996 before relocating again to Hualalai on the Big Island in 1997.

Miller Barber (1986, 1989), Al Geiberger (1992, 1993), George Archer (1990, 2000), Dana Quigley (2003, 2005) and Hale Irwin (1997, 2007) are the only multiple winners of the event, with Archer being the only player to claim titles at two different venues (1990/LaCosta, 2000/Hualalai).

ELIGIBILITY: This year’s field will again be made up of the following: 1) winners of Champions Tour major championships in the last five years (2007-2011); 2) winners of Champions Tour official money co-sponsored and approved tournaments within the last two years (2010-2011); 3) seven sponsor choices to exempt players to meet either of the following criteria: a-a minimum of 30 combined PGA TOUR/Champions Tour victories or b-a minimum of 15 combined career wins who also have a minimum of one major championship victory; 4) one sponsor choice can meet the criteria of 10-plus wins and one major championship.

2011 RECAP: John Cook birdied five straight holes after the turn and managed to hold off Tom Lehman by two strokes in the season-opening event. Cook began the day three strokes back of Russ Cochran and after two birdies on the front nine, Cook made six birdies in a seven-hole stretch on the back nine to create some distance between him and a hard-charging Lehman. Cook’s final-round 64 gave him his second career victory in Hawaii. It was the first time since Loren Roberts in 2006 that a player made up as many as three strokes on the final day. On the PGA TOUR, Cook won the 1992 Hawaiian Open.

BENEFITTING LOCAL CHARITIES: Proceeds from this year’s Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai will again support the Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation and Big Island Junior Golf. Last October, officials from the event gave a $55,000 check to the Rotary Club of Kona. The Rotary Club has played an integral role in managing the tournament volunteer corps since the event moved to the Big Island in 1997. Each year, more than 400 volunteers contribute their time and talents in assisting players, sponsors and spectators at this event.

KEY STORYLINES:

* Season opener features star-studded field – The 2011 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai will have a 41-player field this year. Fred Funk and Eduardo Romero are eligible, but will not play for various reasons.

* This year’s Mitsubishi Electric Championship field has won a combined 351 events on the PGA TOUR and 220 tournaments on the Champions Tour.

* 17 professionals in this year’s field have combined to win 35 major championships on the PGA TOUR and 19 professionals in this field have won a total of 38 senior majors.

* There are nine members of the World Golf Hall of Fame in this year’s field (Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer, Larry Nelson, Nick Price, Curtis Strange, Lanny Wadkins and Tom Watson).

* There are eight former Ryder Cup captains (Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer, Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin, Curtis Strange, Lanny Wadkins and Tom Watson) in this field as well as two Presidents Cup captains (Hale Irwin, Fred Couples).

* Six players will make their first appearances at this championship – Jay Don Blake, Olin Browne, Mark Calcavecchia, Brad Faxon, John Huston and Kenny Perry all won events in 2010.

* Seven players in this year’s field are age 60 and over, led by 66-year-old Hale Irwin. 62-year-olds Tom Kite, Lanny Wadkins and Tom Watson will also play this year as will Bob Gilder, Larry Nelson and Ben Crenshaw.

(Hawaii 24/7 photo courtesy of Gail Masunaga)

Special to Hawaii 24/7

Gail Masunaga recorded his first hole-in-one Friday, Nov. 25 at Kona Country Club.

When everyone was at the stores Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving, Masunaga relaxed and went golfing on the Mountain Course at Kona Country Club.

It turned out to be a memorable day for the owner of Masunaga Farms in Kona.

On the 5th hole, par 3, Masunaga used a 9 iron, and hit the ball 140 yards and made the hole-in-one. Witnesses were Paul Logan and his neighbor Wes.

Masunaga said he tries to play golf at least once a week, usually at Kona Country Club. He celebrated his 60th birthday June 10, so the father of Colette and Jana, and husband of Margaret, said he truly will remember 2011 as a good year.

— Find out more:
www.konagolf.com

MEDIA RELEASE

The PGA TOUR and Mitsubishi Electric have announced an extension of their official marketing partnership and title sponsorship of the Champions Tour’s season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai through 2015.

The Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai is scheduled for Jan. 16-22, 2012, and features an elite field of the past two seasons’ tournament champions and past five years of senior major championship winners.

The tournament has been the starting point of the season for the Champions Tour since 1997. During that span, the tournament has made a significant economic and charitable impact on the local community.

Almost $650,000 has been donated to various island charities, including $55,000 this year to the Rotary Club of Kona. The funds will assist the Keiki Eye Vision Program to help identify vision difficulties early in a child’s development.

Mitsubishi will also continue to provide Diamond Vision LED scoreboards at virtually every PGA TOUR tournament as the official large outdoor video display provider.

Rolled out in May 2007 at THE PLAYERS Championship, the Diamond Vision boards have significantly strengthened the on-site fan experience with a variety of player and venue information, along with graphics generated by the TOUR’s ShotLink real-time scoring system.

The Diamond Vision scoreboards were first used on the Champions Tour at Hualalai in 2009. As part of the new sponsorship agreement, Diamond Vision scoreboards will be introduced at all Champions Tour stops in 2013.

Mitsubishi will continue as the official HVAC products of the PGA TOUR and, beginning in 2013, will become the official elevator and escalator of the PGA TOUR. As an official marketing partner, Mitsubishi has and will continue to use select PGA TOUR tournaments for hospitality and entertainment.

“We are pleased to continue our relationship with the PGA TOUR and the Champions Tour,” said Katsuya Takamiya, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Electric US Holdings. “Our customers enjoy our relationship with the players and especially The Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai. We could not ask for a stronger association with an organization, one that demonstrates a huge charitable impact and personal commitment to its sponsors, especially from the Champions Tour.”

As a further commitment to the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour, Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating recently announced its sponsorship of Fred Funk, a six-time winner on the Champions Tour.

As part of Funk’s sponsorship his golf bag, as well as his right shirt collar, will carry the Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating logo. This additional presence will help Mitsubishi Electric raise awareness of their cooling and heating products among target customers.

Funk won the season-opening championship at Hualalai in 2008.

John Cook, a three-time winner on the Champions Tour in 2011, is the defending champion of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.

Collectively, the Champions Tour has the most recognizable and accomplished players in the game with many of its 29 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame competing regularly in its events and numerous other major championship winners among its members.

The Champions Tour is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older. Conceived in 1980 as the Senior PGA Tour, it started with just four events and purses totaling $475,000.

Points earned in official Charles Schwab Cup events in 2011 will determine the Charles Schwab Cup champion, the season-long competition designed to recognize the Champions Tour’s leading player.

The Champions Tour’s primary purpose is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, protect the integrity of the game and generate significant charitable and economic impact in communities in which it plays.

In 2010, tournaments on all three Tours (PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour) generated $120 million for local charitable organizations, bringing the TOUR’s all-time total of charitable contributions to more than $1.6 billion.

— Find out more:
www.pgatour.com
www.MitsubishiElectric…

MEDIA RELEASE

The Annual Dennis Rose Intercollegiate Tournament is slated to begin on Monday, October 31 at the Waikoloa Resort Golf Complex.

The two-day tournament field includes men’s and women’s team from the Academy of Art University, California State University East Bay, Cal State Monterey Bay, Sonoma State University, Grand Canyon University, St. Martin’s University and host University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Also participating in the women’s field are squads from the University of Redlands (Calif.) and Montana State University Billings. Joining the men’s field are Brigham Young University-Hawaii and Hawaii Pacific University.

The women will compete on the 5,958-yard, par-70 Waikoloa Beach Course while the men will be on the 7,074-yard, par-72 Waikoloa Kings’ Course.

Participants will play 36 holes on Monday and 18 holes on Tuesday. Tee times for both days have yet to be determined but will begin at 7 a.m.

Practice rounds will be held on Sunday, October 30 with 12:30 p.m. shotgun starts on both courses.

Grand Canyon is the defending women’s champion while Cal State Monterey Bay is the defending men’s champion.

Also back to defend her title is GCU’s Tiffany Hewetson who won the 2010 tournament with a 10-over-par 226 (76-75-75).

From left: Dr. Frank Toscano, Rotary Club of Kona; Alan Clark, Tournament Volunteer Co-Chair; Michael Kelly, President Rotary Club of Kona; Bill Rau, Senior Vice President, Mitsubishi Electric HVAC; Bud Nardello, VP of Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Sales; Kelly Flier, Tournament Manager; Brendan Moynahan, Head Golf Professional Hualalai Resort. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7)

MEDIA RELEASE

Tournament officials from the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai have presented charitable donations to the Rotary Club of Kona and the Big Island Junior Golf Association.

On hand to present the checks, courtesy of the January 2011 event January, were Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating (HVAC) Senior Vice President and General Manager Bill Rau, HVAC Vice President of Sales Bud Nardello, John Freitas, General Manager of The Hualalai Club, Brendan Moynahan, Director of Golf and Tournament Manager Kelly Fliear.

The presentations were made on the 18th green at the pristine Hualalai Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus.

The Rotary Club of Kona has played an integral role in managing the tournament volunteer corps since the tournament began in 1997. Each year, more than 400 volunteers contribute their time, talents and Aloha Spirit in servicing the players, sponsors and spectators at the Hualalai Resort to ensure a successful event.

“We feel privileged to continue our assignment of overseeing the volunteer operations,” said Volunteer Coordinator Alan Clark. “The volunteers are the backbone of the tournament operations and we certainly could not stage an event of this magnitude without recognizing their efforts.”

A check for $55,000 was presented to Rotary Club of Kona President Mike Kelly, who pledged the funds to community projects and college scholarship grants for selected students.

The Big Island Junior Golf Association, with more than 100 members, benefits from a national program on the Champions Tour which financially supports junior golf in the city or region where official tournaments are played.

The Champions Tour players voted to forego the $5,000 Pro-Am purse they shared in years past and donate that money to the BIJGA.

In addition, Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating continues their support of the Big Island Junior Golf Association as a year-round corporate sponsor and provides each golfer with team shirts they wear during competitions.

Mitsubishi Electric enters its fourth year as title sponsor of the Champions Tour’s season-opening event, continuing to elevate the event on a worldwide scale in the state of Hawaii and the Big Island community.

“Mitsubishi Electric, in concert with the Champions Tour, is very proud of the charities this outstanding tournament benefits,” offered Katsuya Takamiya, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Electric US.

Adds Bill Rau, “Our business group has a large presence in Hawaii and we’re very pleased to be able to support this wonderful community whenever and wherever we can.”

“On behalf of the Champions Tour and local tournament staff, it is with great pleasure that we present charitable contributions to the Rotary Club of Kona and the Big Island Junior Golf Association,” said Mitsubishi Electric Championship Executive Director Brian Goin from PGA TOUR headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

“Since the tournament’s arrival on the island in 1997, over $900,000 has been raised for local charities as a result of the tournament and player-related fundraisers. We would also like to extend a sincere thanks to Mitsubishi Electric, the Hualalai Resort and the Hawaii Tourism Authority for their partnerships and to our dedicated volunteer force for helping make this event possible each year,” Goin said.

The 2012 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai is slated for Jan. 20-22, preceded by the official tournament pro-am scheduled for Jan. 18-19.

John Cook, who has captured three titles already in 2011, is the defending champion.

Collectively, the Champions Tour has the most recognizable and accomplished players in the game with many of its 29 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame competing regularly in its events and numerous other major championship winners among its members.

The Champions Tour is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older.

Conceived in 1980 as the Senior PGA Tour, it started with just four events and purses totaling $475,000. Points earned in official Charles Schwab Cup events in 2011 will determine the Charles Schwab Cup champion, the season-long competition designed to recognize the Champions Tour’s leading player.

The Champions Tour’s primary purpose is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, protect the integrity of the game and generate significant charitable and economic impact in communities in which it plays.

In 2010, tournaments on all three Tours (PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour) generated $120 million for local charitable organizations, bringing the TOUR’s all-time total of charitable contributions to more than $1.6 billion.

— Find out more:
www.pgatour.com
www.MitsubishiElectric…

MEDIA RELEASE

The award-winning Hapuna Golf Course is offering an unforgettable promotion for kamaaina during the 2011 NFL season called “Kamaaina NFL Sunday Night Football Pick.”

Kamaaina with a valid Hawaii Drivers License or Hawaii State ID may come and play a round every week and select the winner of the upcoming Sunday Night NFL Football Game. If the guest chooses the correct winner, that guest will receive a $35 green fee rate for the following week for one round of golf.

See the Hapuna Golf Shop Staff or call 880-3000 for more details.

“Kamaaina NFL Sunday Night Football Pick is an excellent savings for our local golfers,” said Johnny Eusebio, PGA Head Professional at Mauna Kea Resort. “By offering them a fun promotion during the NFL season, our kamaaina will have the opportunity to win discounted rates at one of the premiere golf courses on the Kohala Coast.”

MEDIA RELEASE

Special Olympics East Hawaii Golf has added a new dimension to its 4th annual tournament on Sept. 11.

This year, Waimea Country Club will host the four-person scramble in which each group will have a Special Olympics athlete playing on the team. Entry fee for this fundraiser is $150 per golfer. Special Olympians will not pay.

“We anticipate several teams and expect our Special Olympians will be valuable additions,” said George Lewitzki, coach. Lewitzki, who operates Golf Treasures in Hilo, is among those donating prizes for the event.

“The funds raised will help us keep this program alive through the season. The Special Olympians get a great deal out of it, but we all know that golf can be an expensive sport. Not all can afford it.” All proceeds go to Special Olympics East Hawaii Golf.

The entry fee includes the round of golf, cart, lunch and 19th hole awards and prizes. Shotgun start at Waimea Country Club is 8:30 a.m. Call Golf Treasures at 961-4653 to sign up for the tournament.

MEDIA RELEASE

Golf Digest recently ranked Mauna Kea Golf Course at No. 27 in its 2011-2012 listing of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses.”

To celebrate the ranking Mauna Kea is introducing the $400 Four-Somes at Mauna Kea Golf Course.

Through July 31, a kamaaina player can bring three friends whether visitor or kamaaina after 10 a.m. and play for $400.

For further information or tee times, call Mauna Kea Golf Course at 882-5400.

MEDIA RELEASE

Hapuna Golf Course, one of the top rated golf courses on the Big Island, has unveiled the Hapuna Five-Oh Promotion for kamaaina.

Kamaaina with a Hawaii drivers license or state ID will have the opportunity to purchase the Hapuna Five-Oh Card for $199 plus tax.

The Hapuna Five-Oh Card will enable guests to play five rounds of golf and will be valid 60 days from purchase.

Hapuna Five-Oh Cards will be available for purchase through Sunday, July 31.

“The Hapuna Five-Oh Promotion for our kamaaina is an excellent savings for our local golfers,” said Johnny Eusebio, PGA head professional at Mauna Kea Resort. “By offering them an exclusive multiple play package, our kamaaina can enjoy five memorable rounds at one of the premiere golf courses on the Kohala Coast during the summer.”

In 1997, the U.S. Golf Association named Hapuna “The Course of the Future.” This Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay-designed 18-hole championship course is nestled into the dramatic natural contours of the land from the shoreline to about 700 feet above sea level.

This course features spectacular views of the Kohala Coast and the Pacific, with snow-capped Mauna Kea volcano as a backdrop. Hapuna’s challenging play and environmental sensitivity make it one of Hawaii’s most unique golf courses.

For further information, contact Hapuna Golf Course at 808-880-3000.

MEDIA RELEASE

Mauna Kea Resort is offering local junior golfers the opportunity to join the 2011 Mauna Kea Junior Golf Program.

Mauna Kea Junior Golf Program gives Big Island keiki the opportunity to play two of the premiere properties on the Kohala Coast at an unbelievable price.

Since 1964, the Golf Course at Mauna Kea has led the way in standards of course beauty and design, solidifying its place in Hawaii’s history as one of the most scenic and favored golf courses.

Avid golfers and guests of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel continue to enjoy Robert Trent Jones, Sr.’s award-winning golf course at the hotel and its recent updates and beautification by Rees Jones.

In 1997, the U.S. Golf Association named Hapuna “The Course of the Future.” This Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay-designed 18-hole championship course is nestled into the dramatic natural contours of the land from the shoreline to about 700 feet above sea level.

The course features spectacular views of the Kohala Coast and the Pacific, with snow-capped Mauna Kea volcano as a backdrop.

Hapuna’s challenging play and environmental sensitivity make it one of Hawaii’s most unique golf courses.

Program Fee (June 1-Dec. 18): $150

Program Fee Includes:

* Discounted green fees at Hapuna Golf Course and Mauna Kea Golf Course.

* $40 Junior Green Fee at Hapuna Golf Course

* $75 Junior Green Fee at Mauna Kea Golf Course

* $45 for Junior Guest at Hapuna Golf Course (Parent or Kamaaina. Limit 3)

* $155 for Junior Guest at Mauna Kea Golf Course (Parent or kamaaina. Limit 3)

* 20% off merchandise at Mauna Kea and Hapuna Golf Course

* Mauna Kea Junior Golf Hat

* Mauna Kea Engraved Metal Plumeria Bag Tag

* Complimentary use of the practice facility at Hapuna Golf Course

* Discounted rates on private instruction with our PGA Professional Staff

* Opportunities to attend free junior golf clinics (TBA)

For further information or an application, contact Johnny Eusebio, head golf professional, at jeusebio@maunakearesor…

MEDIA RELEASE

Neil Cabico saved his best round for last as the senior turned in a 2-under-par 70. He was at 3-under-par after seven holes before a double-bogey capped his first nine at 1-under-35.

“I really thought I was going to blow up again,” said Cabico. “That’s what happened in the first two rounds. I just made a mistake and it snowballed. But I kept it in check got it back.”

Following a bogey on the 11th hole, Cabico completed the day with a pair of birdies.

“I was working on the range and found my swing this morning,” said Cabico. “I haven’t done much the first two rounds to help us make the top eight.”

Cabico jumped to a tie for 44th place at 11-over-par 227 (77-80-70).

Corey Kozuma saw his individual title hopes dashed when he went 5-over-par on the first four holes and 8-over-par after the front nine. The freshman finished the back nine just one over regulation to finish the day at 9-over-par 81. He finished the tournament tied for 28th place at 8-over-par 223 (72-70-81).

Blake Snyder turned in a 1-over-par 73 with four birdies to offset three bogeys and a double bogey. He was tied with Cabico for 44th place 976-78-73=227).

Chris Shimomura opened with a triplet of pars before the bogeys bug hit him over the next four holes. After finishing the par-3 18th in two shots, he went five-over-par on the remaining nine holes. Shimomura was tied for 79th place at 19-over-par 235 (76-79-80)/

Travis Russell had the up-and-down round of the day starting with bogeys on four of the first five holes, then birdies on two of the next four to finish the first nine at 2-over-par. Four bogeys and a birdie over the final nine holes landed Russell with a 5-over-par 77. He finished tied for 69th place at 17-over-par, 233 (82-74-77).

“Those guys are young and will be in contention a lot next year,” said Cabico.

Chico State’s Kyle Souza (70-71-71) won the tournament on the first playoff hole. He was tied with Lynn’s Daniel Young (70-3-69) at 4-under-par 212.

Top-ranked Lynn University won the title at even-par 864. They were followed by Abilene Christian (878), Cal State Monterey Bay and Central Oklahoma (881), Central Missouri State (885), Newberry (890), Fort Lewis and Barton (894), Barry (899), Columbus State (901), Sonoma State and Hawaii Hilo (902), Indiana-PA (906), Colorado State-Pueblo (908), Missouri-St. Louis (928), Cameron (930), St.Thomas Aquinas.

MEDIA RELEASE

The 16th Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament tees off Friday, May 20 at the Hualalai Golf Course.

Fun on the Jack Nicklaus Signature links includes contests for hole-in-one, closest to the pin on all par 3s and men’s and ladies’ longest drives. The hole-in-one winner takes home a 2011 Honda Civic 4DR LX, courtesy of Big Island Honda.

Play begins at 1 p.m. with a two-person, select-drive, better-ball format. A post-golf awards ceremony offers heavy pupus at the Four Seasons Resort.

Entry fee for the Chamber fundraiser is $250 per person. Register online at www.kona-kohala.com or phone 329-1758.

Registration is limited to a field of 72 players, first-come, first-serve.

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce provides leadership and advocacy for a successful business environment in West Hawaii. The result of KKCC’s work is a community of choice as reflected in our quality of life, business and individual opportunity and manifest respect for our culture and our natural resources.

MEDIA RELEASE

Corey Kozuma’s steady play has moved the freshman a stroke behind first place at the NCAA Division II Golf Championship on the Robert Trent Jones – The Shoals Fighting Joe Course in Florence, Ala.

After starting the day with a pair of bogeys, Kozuma went 4-under-par the rest of the way to turn in a 2-under-par 70 and sit at 2-under-par 142 after two rounds.

Kozuma bogeyed the 5th and 6th holes before settling down with birdies on the 9th, 10th, 15th and 16th holes.

Travis Russell earned the second round’s “comeback kid” honor after posting a 2-over-par 74.

“I hit the ball a lot better,” said Russell. “Finally hit some fairways which helped me hit more greens and putts.

“The winds weren’t too strong this morning and with the tighter fairways it kind of helped out. It gave us a few breaks on the shorter holes so you could attack more.”

After turning a first round 10-over-par 82, the freshman turned in a round of 14 pars, three bogeys and a birdie on the 193-yard, par-3 fifth hole.

“All you had to do was hit to the center of the green and everything would funnel down to the hole,” said Russell. “I hit it to about 10 feet of the hole. I just tried to put it in the circle and it ended up going in.”

“Birdies are hard to find out there but when you do you can definitely make up some shots on the field.”

Russell sits at 12-over-par, 156.

Blake Snyder ran off eight consecutive pars before a bogey-4 9th hole. The back nine wasn’t as smooth with Snyder riding a bogey-par-bogey rollercoaster until the double-bogey 16th. The finished with pars on the final two holes to end the day at 6-over-par 78. Snyder sits at 10-over-par 154.

A double and quadruple bogeys on the first three holes put Niel Cabico behind the eight ball early. He found quickly and went 2-over-par over the remaining holes with bogeys on the 5th and 12th holes. He finished at 8-over-par 80. After two rounds Cabico is at 13-over-par, 157.

Chris Shimomura went the other way en route to a 7-over-par 79. After birdies on the first two holes, Shimomura bounced between eight pars, seven bogeys and a double bogey on the 16th hole. For the tournament, he is at 11-over-par 155.

Top-ranked Lynn University holds a five-stroke lead in the team race at 582. They are followed by Cal State Monterey Bay (587), Abilene Christian (592), Central Missouri (593), Fort Lewis (597), Central Oklahoma (599), Indiana-PA (601), Hawaii Hilo (602), Newberry and Barton (606), Columbus State (608), Sonoma State and Colorado State-Pueblo (611), Barry (612), Concord (622), Missouri-St. Louis (623), Cameron (626), St. Thomas Aquinas (627), Wilmington (639) and American International (643).

NOTE: HPA graduate Kent Graham fired a 10-over-par 82 and is tied for 60th place at 11-over-par 155).

MEDIA RELEASE

The University of Hawaii at Hilo golf team is in Florence, Ala. for the 2011 NCAA Division II Golf Championships held on the Robert Trent Jones – The Shoals Fighting Joe Course, Monday, May 16 – Friday, May 20.

There will be 108 total participants among the 20 teams competing in the tournament representing 14 different states including eight individual qualifiers challenging the 7,126-yard, par-72 course.

For the first time in the 48-year history of the Championship, the winner will be determined in Match Play. After rounds on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the final eight teams will be paired against each other (1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5) for a quarterfinal round Thursday morning. The final four remaining teams will play Thursday afternoon. The two remaining teams will meet in the Championship Final on Friday.

The field includes teams from Abilene Christian University, American International College, Barry University, Barton College, Cal State Monterey Bay, Cameron University, University of Central Missouri, University of Central Oklahoma, Colorado State Pueblo, Columbus State University, Concord University, Fort Lewis College, Hawaii Hilo, Indiana University (Pa.), Lynn University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Newberry College, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sonoma State University and Wilmington University.

Playing for the Vulcans are senior Niel Cabico (Lanai City, Hawaii) and freshmen Travis Russell (Costa Mesa, Calif.), Blake Snyder (Seattle, Wash.), Corey Kozuma (Honolulu, Hawaii) and Chris Shimomura (Lahaina, Hawaii).

The Vulcans’ previous appearance was in 2005 when Nick Mason’s second place finish in the individual competition led the team to a fifth place finish.

The Vulcans are paired with Concord and Columbus State for the first two rounds with the first group teeing off at noon on Monday on the 10th tee and at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday on the 1st tee.

Also in the field is 2007 Hawaii Preparatory Academy graduate Kent Graham (Kamuela, Hawaii), a senior on the American International squad.

Chad Suzuki of Waiakea is top Big Isle golfer with a 9th place finish.

Teammates Casey Tamura (12th) and Dalen Yamauchi (14th) helped Waiakea secure fourth place in the state.

— Find out more
www.sportshigh.com

MEDIA RELEASE

Mauna Kea and Hapuna golf courses, two of the top rated golf courses on the Big Island, invite kamaaina to play golf at a reduced rate through the month of May in celebration of Kamaaina Appreciation Month at Mauna Kea Resort.

Kamaaina with a Hawaii Drivers License or Hawaii State ID will have the opportunity to play the iconic Mauna Kea Golf Course for $125 or the Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay-designed Hapuna Golf Course for $35 during the month of May.

For tee times, call Mauna Kea Golf Course at 808-882-5400 or Hapuna Golf Course at 808-880-3000.

“Our kamaaina has been very supportive of our two properties (Mauna Kea and Hapuna Golf Course) and this is our way of showing them our appreciation for their business,” said Johnny Eusebio, PGA Head Professional at Mauna Kea Resort. “By offering them discounted rates during the month of May, our kamaaina can enjoy two of the premiere golf courses on the Kohala Coast at an unbelievable price.”

Since 1964, the golf course at Mauna Kea has led the way in standards of course beauty and design, solidifying its place in Hawaii’s history as one of the most scenic and favored golf courses.

Avid golfers and guests of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel continue to enjoy Robert Trent Jones, Sr.’s award-winning golf course at our hotel and its recent updates and beautification by Rees Jones.

In 1997, the U.S. Golf Association named Hapuna “The Course of the Future.”

This Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay-designed 18-hole championship course is nestled into the dramatic natural contours of the land from the shoreline to about 700 feet above sea level. This course features spectacular views of the Kohala Coast and the Pacific, with snow-capped Mauna Kea volcano as a backdrop.

Hapuna’s challenging play and environmental sensitivity make it one of Hawaii’s most unique golf courses.