Fazio at Kapalua

[Steve_ Shaffer]

From golfobserver.com

http://tinyurl.com/gqesg

www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060322/SPORTS18/603220329/1067/SPORTS

Fazio will design new golf course at Kapalua

Advertiser Staff
   

Tom Fazio will design the first members-only course at Kapalua Resort, Kapalua Land Company Ltd., announced.

Fazio's course will replace the resort's Village Course. The Village closure and construction of the new Mauka Course are scheduled for early next year.

"Kapalua Resort is committed to providing a memorable golf experience that offers challenging courses in beautiful surroundings," said Gary Planos, senior vice president-resort operations. "Selecting Fazio, one of the most lauded golf architects of our time, to design Kapalua Resort's new Mauka Course is another example of the resort taking an exceptional golf experience to new heights."

Fazio has designed 14 courses ranked on Golf Digest's list of America's 100 Greatest Courses. His noteworthy designs include Black Diamond Ranch, Shadow Creek and The Quarry.

The new course will join Kapalua's Bay Course and the Plantation, home of the PGA Tour's Mercedes Championships.

[Joel_Stewart]

They want something pretty, they want a big name, they can afford millions, they want high green fees then Fazio is the obvious choice.

[Jfaspen]

if the terrain is similar to the plantation course.. i would have enjoyed seeing when Engh would have done with the site..

If I were Kapalua.. I would have asked C+C to do another course.. been the first 2-course C+C complex (i think)

[Jordan Wall]

They want something pretty, they want a big name, they can afford millions, they want high green fees then Fazio is the obvious choice.

C&C built a great course with high green fees and people come all the time.

I would love to see another C&C course at Kapalua, but thats just me.

[mike_beene]

The Village course was always one of my favorites ,although the range ruined what was the toughest finisher I can recall.The setting by that high lake is as serene as it gets.Wonder how he will soften the uphill holes.The course goes from sea level to a higher point than the Plantation.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Mike, I can hardly wait for this course to replace the much maligned, Village course. Fazio is the best and he'll be able to utilize his magic and create a golf course that is not only expensive to maintain, but one that Arab sheiks* and Mark Rolfing will only be able to afford to play...

(*You know, the ones that are working with our oil companies to develop alternative energy sources to make life more affordable for all of us as well as protect the environment from global warming. Pay it forward and pass the savings on to the consumer. What good guys!! How do I know this? Because I trust they have our best interests at heart!)

I predict (without reading the laize de faire) Fazio will spend $28 million on this redo overgrown pineapple field and turn it into a New Jersey Swampland course. I predict Fazio will build the cart paths out of 24 karat gold bricks and then go out of his way to hide them better then any architect in the game today.

[W.H. Cosgrove]

Tommy don't forget that the new village will also be 18 perfectly framed paintings from the impressionist school.  

What a canvas for Fazio to work from!

[Jerry Kluger]

Tommy: It is a shame that Fazio has been so successful yet he continues to build what looks good as opposed to what plays well. We know that he can design a quality course such as Galloway and Trump National in New Jersey.  Perhaps he will surprise us and build something good in Hawaii.  I thought Kapalua was one of the best courses I have played as there are so many fun holes and the views are so spectacular that you have to remind yourself to concentrate on the golf.  

[Matt_Cohn]

Why would a resort turn a golf course private? Will hotel guests still get to play there?

[mike_beene]

Are there more homesites coming?I always loved the relaxed feel of Kapalua.The little store,and the under promoted under utilized Village course.I get the feeling a round will now take all day.

[Tom_Doak]

Matt:

Why would a resort turn a golf course private?  Because there is a lot more profit in real estate than in golf these days, and people who are buying $$$$ homes want at least one course they can call their own.  

All of the new projects in Hawaii (most of them on the Big Island) are private clubs in real estate developments with resort amenities and maybe a small resort hotel attached.  It's a trend you'd better get used to.