PRINCEVILLE — The renowned 27-hole Princeville Makai Golf Course, which opened in 1971 on Kaua‘i’s North Shore, has begun a multi-million dollar renovation that will continue until late summer 2009. The course renovations are being implemented in conjunction with the
PRINCEVILLE — The renowned 27-hole Princeville Makai Golf Course, which opened in 1971 on Kaua‘i’s North Shore, has begun a multi-million dollar renovation that will continue until late summer 2009. The course renovations are being implemented in conjunction with the renovation of The Princeville Hotel, which shares the same ownership as the course. The hotel recently closed for renovation and will reopen in mid-2009 as the St. Regis Princeville Hotel. During the renovation period for the hotel and the Makai Course, Princeville’s other golf course, the 18-hole Prince, will continue to operate as usual.
The Makai is made up of three nine-hole courses, extending in spokes from the clubhouse and encompassing 200 acres. Each nine is distinctive in its layout and scenic flavor: the Lakes Course strategically winds its way around serene lakes; the Ocean Course embraces the dramatic landscapes leading to the spectacular coastline; and the Woods Course meanders through native woodlands while capitalizing on magnificent mountain views. The initial renovation plans will focus primarily on the Ocean and Lakes nines, both of which are now closed. The Woods course will remain open throughout the renovation period, with varying tee and flag settings on the course being utilized for 18-hole play.
The firm of Robert Trent Jones II, award-winning architects of the original Makai Course, will carry out the renovation. The scope of work will include: introduction of Seashore Paspalum as a new turf type to be used throughout the entire course, with the exception of the rough; reconfiguring the strategy of greens complexes and green surrounds, and bold reshaping of bunkers, refurbishment of selected cart paths and comfort stations, and upgrading of the practice facility, to include two large, new practice tees, a practice fairway bunker, eight target greens with bunkers, a teaching tee, and short game practice complex.
Plans for a new Makai Clubhouse will be implemented in another phase later this year.
