Princeville Makai Golf Club in Princeville, Kauai has reopened each of its 18 holes following a six-month-long, three-million-dollar course refinement project. The project focused on enhancing playability, boosting agronomic conditions, and strengthening the Robert Trent Jones, Jr-design’s standing as one of the top golf courses in the world.
Located on Kauai’s famed North Shore, Princeville Makai originally opened in 1971 as the first solo effort of Trent Jones, Jr. In 2009 and 2010, Jones Jr completely renovated the picturesque property, introducing spectacular new Seashore Paspalum turf grass on all fairways and greens. During this year’s refinement project, crews addressed three key areas of the course: bunker renovations, cart path upgrades and agronomic enhancements, including drainage improvements and practices to continue strong turf health. The course, which averages 78 inches of rain each year, completed the work in nine-hole increments allowing nine holes to remain open for play while work was being done on the other nine holes. Key elements of the refinement project included:
- Comprehensive bunker renovation to all bunkers on the golf course, incorporating a technically advanced drainage and liner system featuring Capillary Concrete. This new generation lining method increases the speed at which water flows through the bunker, minimizing washouts, reducing maintenance and producing superior playability.
- Drainage improvements were completed in key areas to enhance playability and turf health
- Cart path improvements throughout the property, with some rerouting of paths
- The agronomy team also executed an aggressive aeration of the Seashore Paspalum turf so air, water and nutrients can reach grass roots.
Troon Senior Vice President of Golf Course Development Ron Despain led the bunker renovations and cart path changes, with construction work executed by Heritage Links. Agronomy projects were completed in collaboration with Princeville Makai Golf Club Superintendent Chris Parde, the club’s agronomy team and Troon Senior Vice President of Science and Agronomy Jeff Spangler.
“The enhancements to the course and bunkers will greatly improve overall playability and will allow our agronomy team to continue to deliver exceptional course conditions. We are thrilled to be welcoming back all of our guests to experience one of the must-play destinations in Hawaii,” said Princeville Makai Golf Club General Manager Michael Neider.
With six oceanfront holes overlooking the stunning North Shore, picturesque views of Makana, commonly referred to as Bali Hai from the 1958 film “South Pacific,” and dozens of waterfalls cascading from nearby peaks (Nāmolokama and Māmalahoa), Princeville Makai Golf Club is the definition of “golf in paradise.” In addition to golf, Princeville Makai Golf Club is also home to Sunset Golf Cart Tours, the Mauka Disc Golf Course, Sunrise Yoga, a popular tennis facility and several sites for banquets and special celebrations.
The Seventh Green at Princeville Makai Golf Club (Troon)