BY GARY TRASK – (KAUA‘I, Hawaii) – The Princeville Prince Course in Hanalei announces today that Director of Golf Steve Murphy has received two elite honors from the Aloha Section of the PGA – 2010 Professional of the Year and Merchandiser of the Year (Resorts).
The PGA Professional of the Year Award recognizes professionals based on their entire record with an emphasis on his/her achievements during the last five years. Some of the criteria include career enhancement qualities, leadership abilities, strengths as a player, teacher, merchandiser and business person as well as contributions to the facility’s success and the game of golf at the section level. Winners of the Merchandiser of the Year Award are acknowledged for their display techniques, inventory mix, merchandising philosophy and the success of their operation.
“Steve’s leadership and expertise, along with his staff’s commitment to excellence are why the Prince Course shines, and what golf visitors to Kaua‘i can expect at our island courses,” says Sue Kanoho, Executive Director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau.
Murphy, who started at Prince Course in 2004 as Head Professional, serves on the Board of Directors of both the Aloha PGA Section and the Kaua‘i Junior Golf Association. He was the driving force behind the inaugural PGA / Amateur event on Kaua‘i this past summer, The Prince Invitational, which drew a field of many top professionals and leading amateur golfers from the state. He is also a regular volunteer and supporter to the “Get Ready Golf” program, “Play Golf America” and the various “Bring Your Family to the Course” promotions.
In 2009, Murphy was awarded the Horton Smith Trophy, which is presented annually to the golf pro who contributes to building the PGA image via leadership, networking and promotion of the game from within the local community.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Princeville’s 18-hole Prince Course is ranked by Golf Digest asHawaii’s No. 1 course and is the only one in the State of Hawaii to be included on Golf Digest’s 2009/2010 list of “America’s 100 Greatest Courses.”
Murphy will be recognized on Dec. 5 with his fellow award winners at the 2010 Aloha Section PGA Annual Meeting at Pearl Country Club.
Kaua‘i Honored in Golfweek’s “Best Resort Courses” Issue
Poipu Bay Golf Course, Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Club and the Princeville Prince Course were all named onGolfweek magazine’s “America’s Best Resort Courses” national rankings in the Nov. 2 issue.
Kaua‘i Lagoons – the Jack Nicklaus-design that will unveil a vast renovation project in May – moved up 12 spots on the prestigious list to No. 60 overall. The Prince Course landed at No. 22 overall and was second in golf-rich Hawaii while Poipu Bay came in at No. 72.
Poipu Bay – a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design – is the former home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf and will re-open on Dec. 16 following a nine-month restoration project that saw it install Seashore Paspalum greens, a warm-season turf that requires less water and chemicals to maintain excellent conditions.
The St. Regis Princeville Resort Celebrates Anniversary with a Quintessential Experience
In celebration of the St. Regis Princeville Resort’s one-year anniversary, the resort has introduced The Quintessential Anniversary Experience, which offers a truly romantic way to celebrate one’s own anniversary, while enjoying the resort’s luxurious comforts and exclusive location.
This special offer includes chilled champagne and truffles upon arrival, five nights in premium ocean view accommodations, and daily breakfast at Makana Terrace. Guests will have around the clock access to the legendary St. Regis Butler Service and enjoy a private ocean-side dinner for two, as well as a romantic couple’s massage at the Halele’a Spa.
The Quintessential Anniversary Experience is available for $5,500 through March 31, 2011. In addition to the services and amenities included in the offer, Starwood Preferred Guests will earn double rewards points that can be allocated to a future getaway at any Starwood destination.
Located in the 9,000-acre resort community of Princeville at Hanalei, The St. Regis Princeville Resort completed a $100-million renovation project last year and became the first in Hawaii to carry the prestigious St. Regis brand. All 252 rooms, which now include 51 ocean-view suites, were remodeled.
The resort is also home to Makai Golf Club, Robert Trent Jones Jr’s first design in Hawaii that was ranked No. 8 in the state by GOLF Magazine in September.
For reservations or further information call 1.877.787.3447 and request the promotional code: LAPKG2.
Puakea Golf Course to Host Leadership Kaua‘i Tournament on Nov. 21
Leadership Kaua‘i will host its charity golf tournament at Puakea Golf Course on Sunday, November 21 at 8 a.m.
The entry fee is $125 and includes greens fees, cart fees and lunch. Mulligans will be available for $5 each and the format is a 3-person scramble. Comedian Tony Silva from Da Braddahs will emcee the lunch and awards ceremony following the tournament.
All proceeds will benefit Leadership Kaua‘i, a non-profit organization that helps develop leaders with awareness of and sensitivity to Kaua‘i’s culture and people.
To register or to sponsor a hole, contact Alison Toma at 808.337.1413, ext. 10 or e-mailallifleming@yahoo.com.
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About “Kaua’i: Discover Golf’s Ultimate Island Green”
Kaua’i offers more than 50 miles of white sand beaches — more beach per mile than any other island inHawaii. Only four percent of the island is developed for commercial and residential use.
For more information about golf on the Garden Isle visit www.Kauaidiscovery.com/activities/golfing/,www.twitter.com/KauaiGolf, or call 800-262-1400.
The unique attributes of the golf destination cooperative “Kaua’i: Discover Golf’s Ultimate Island Green” include:
1. Princeville Golf Courses (www.princeville.com)
- 45 holes of golf — the 27-hole Makai Golf Club at The St. Regis Princeville Resort and the 18-hole Prince Golf Course — all designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
- The Prince Course (800.826.1105) is rated the No. 1 course in the state and was rated No. 67 in Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses 2009-10”
- The Makai Golf Club (www.makaigolf.com/, 808.826.1912) reopened in 2010 after an extensive 15-month renovation and now features the 18-hole Makai Course and the 9-hole Woods Course
- The St. Regis Princeville Resort just completed a multi-million-dollar renovation and opened the first week of October 2009
2. Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Club (www.kauailagoonsgolf.com, 800.634.6400)
- Voted, along with Kaua’i Marriott Resort, one of the “Top 50 Resort Courses” worldwide by GolfWorld magazine in its “2009 Readers’ Choice Awards”
- Currently 18 of the 36 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus are in play, consisting of nine holes from the Kiele Course and nine holes from the Mokihana Course. The Kiele Ocean nine is receiving extensive upgrades, including the addition of one new ocean hole that will create a one-half-mile long stretch of oceanfront golf. Completion of the Kiele Ocean nine is scheduled for May 2011
- The front nine holes feature the par-3 fifth green encircled by a tropical Mango and Guava tree forest
3. Poipu Bay Golf Course (www.poipubaygolf.com, 800.858.6300)
- Along with Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort & Spa rated No. 16 in GolfWorld’s “America’s Top 50 Resort Courses, 2009”
- Four closing holes play atop a 150-foot sea cliff
- Home to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 through 2006, it has frequently hosted players like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and other major champions
- Course is currently closed for greens renovation with a reopening planned for December 16, 2010
4. Puakea Golf Course (www.puakeagolf.com, 866.773.5554)
- Consistently rated a favorite among Kaua’i golfers in local media outlets and ranked as the No. 15 course in Hawaii by Golfweek.
- Golf Course Architect Robin Nelson used the natural layout of the land when he planned this layout, testing golfers of all levels and treating them to beautiful views of Mt. Ha’upu and deep lush ravines on several holes.
- Owned by AOL co-Founder Steve Case
The Kaua’i Visitors Bureau is a division of the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau, which is contracted by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA), the state of Hawai’i’s tourism agency, for marketing management services in North America. The HTA was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawai’i tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawai’i’s economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.
Submitted by Gary Trask, Buffalo Communications, gtrask@billycaspergolf.com