Newfangled Kauai Lagoons setup

[Richard Boult]

Just read this news about Kauai Lagoons' Kiele & Mokihana Courses at hawaiigolfdeals.com.  Is this "newfangled" course worth playing?  Leaving this afternoon for Kauai.
 
"We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the back nine of the premium Kiele Course at Kauai Lagoons is indefinitely closed. The remaining nine holes (the front nine), is now paired with the back nine of the Mokihana Course for morning play. Frankly, it is a complicated scenario that we do not have the space nor inclination to expound upon. The rate is $115 if you are staying at a "select hotel" other than the on-property Kauai Marriott ($105). The Mokihana 18-hole course is now $79 after 12 noon if you are staying at a"select hotel" other than the on-property Kauai Marriott ($69). "Select hotels" appear to be fairly arbitrary. So, if you absolutely must play here, call and ask which hotels you are permitted to stay in for the privilege of the being able to play their course at the "select" rate. Then, you decide."

[Scott_Burroughs]

That's too bad.  There goes the Kiele course's signature hole, #16, along with the excellent #11 and #13.

[Brad Tufts]

Wow...this sounds interesting, and that there may be a lengthy story behind the closing.

I always thought the Kiele had a bit of a funky back nine (albeit with some great holes to offset the clunkers), but it cannot be argued that it isn't built on magnificent property that includes both cliffs and some good Hawaiian jungle.

#16 always has confused me, as it's their most famous (or infamous?) hole, but generally lacks a fairway to hit too with anything over a 6 or 7 iron...

[Tim Gavrich]

I don't follow...what's caused the closure?  Is it a Wild Dunes-like situation where Mother Nature is messing things up for the golf course?  A money issue?

I've never been to Hawaii, but I'd always read good things about the lagoons...

[Powell Arms]

I was there in August at the beginning of this routing.  The revised course is not bad, but I was disappointed at what I got for the price.  In summmer 2006, we were there and palayed the full Kiele course, and loved it.  The back nine is awesome.  The inability to play the back nine this year was a disappointment, and I am sure that surprised tainted our experience a bit this year.

That said, for the price, I would play Puakea.  Although set in the midst of a Costco and Home Depot for the front nine, it has some nice holes throughout the 18, and some great topographical changes.  They also let juniors play for free, which is a plus, since I had my nine year old son with me.

Also, I would check out Kukiolono, a nine hole course formerly owned by a suger plantation owner.  It's laid back and a supurb value, at $8.00 for play all day.  More info here:  http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=30728;start=msg595555#msg595555

At the other end of the pricing spectrum are the Poiu Bay course and the Princeville Prince course.  Although its an hour from Poipu, the Prince course is the clear choice here.  Although there are some quirky holes, they are overcome by the stand out holes on the course.  Poipu Bay really had no stand out holes for me  - it just benefited from the view from the course.  

[Brad Tufts]

Powell, was there a reason for the back nine closure?

[Evan_Green]

That's too bad.  There goes the Kiele course's signature hole, #16, along with the excellent #11 and #13.

Scott are you sure they are closing #16? I was under the impression that #'s 11, 14 & 15 were to be altered, not #16... If so this is a new plan than the one I was previously aware of...

[SPDB]

Was this a communication from the course management? If so, it's pretty rude, especially the fee they are charging.  

[Scott_Burroughs]

That's too bad.  There goes the Kiele course's signature hole, #16, along with the excellent #11 and #13.

Scott are you sure they are closing #16? I was under the impression that #'s 11, 14 & 15 were to be altered, not #16... If so this is a new plan than the one I was previously aware of...

The article in the original post says that the entire back nine will be closed.

[Matt_Cohn]

Some site I looked at just said it's closed for renovations until December or so.

[Tom_Doak]

I believe they are making some changes to the routing of the back nine [moving holes and developing some part of the original golf land], in which case they would have to close the whole back nine to do so.

[Tommy Williamsen]

this is from their web-site.

Kiele

Hailed as one of the finest golf gems in the Pacific, the 7,070-yard Kiele Course is one of Jack Nicklaus’ best designs. Fairways weave along imposing ocean cliffs, over promontories high above Nawiliwili Harbor, and along the 38 acres of Kauai Lagoons. Already a Golf Magazine Top 100 course, the Kiele Course will soon become even more spectacular, as two golf holes are realigned to run along the ocean, for a total of five consecutive oceanfront holes.

[Roger Tufts]

I believe they are making some changes to the routing of the back nine [moving holes and developing some part of the original golf land], in which case they would have to close the whole back nine to do so.

Well, maybe this could work out nicely. I liked the back nine though i was very young when I played it. Will have to look into it when I (We) are next out there.

Ive always thought that the property was nice, but a couple holes, from what i remember, were close to the cliffs, but left just enough space to remark "they could use that cliff better..." Sorry I can't be specific on hole #s, its been a while.

[Powell Arms]

Powell, was there a reason for the back nine closure?

What I was told is consistent with the posts above.  Some of the land is being developed for residential, and holes are being rerouted.  I did not see a plan, although I know Ritz Carlton branded condos are being built on the site.  

The project does seem to be dragging from the feedback I heard around this course and others.  It started around Jan 07, and originally the only holes to be closed were 10 and 11.  That was still in print when I arrived in late July 07, but when calling the course I was informed of the full closure of the back 9.

And I do like 16, at 260 - 290, just short enough to temp a drive of the green, or a run-up off of the side of the cliff.

[Evan_Green]

I believe they are making some changes to the routing of the back nine [moving holes and developing some part of the original golf land], in which case they would have to close the whole back nine to do so.

That was what I had heard as well. I remember reading Nicklaus was originally upset that they were tweaking with the course as it was one of his favorites, particularly the par 5 15th, but then worked on re-routing a new hole which will still get you to the signature #16 and, as Tom eludes to, they need to close the whole back nine to do this work. I think they might also be moving the clubhouse closer to the ocean. I wonder if they will change the order of the holes?

It seems in general they are doing a large upgrade of the entire Kauai Lagoons resort complex in general. Its a neat spot right on the harbor there...

Well in any case, I will be interested to see what the finished product looks like. Any excuse to go to Kauai  

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