Business Monday: Mauna Kea Golf Course celebrates 60th anniversary with completion of renovation

On Dec. 10, 1964, the “Big Three” of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player opened the first resort golf course on the Big Island as part of an episode of “Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf.”

The tough par-72 Mauna Kea Golf Course — with breathtaking views of the Kohala Coast and of course the volcano, Mauna Kea — was first crafted by acclaimed golf architect Robert Trent Jones Sr.

He transformed a rugged and barren black lava field into a lush, world-class 18-hole course.

In 2008, it was updated by Jones Sr.’s son Rees Jones. And now, to celebration the 60th anniversary of its historic beginning, the course just reopened after an 8-month extensive renovation led by another son of the original architect, Robert Trent Jones Jr.

Mauna Kea has become the only golf course in the world to have the combined vision of the Jones family’s three golf architects, according to a press release from Mauna Kea Resort that owns the course. One reason might be the sibling rivalry. According to a 2015 story on golf.com, the two sons of Jones Sr. have feuded much of their lives.

Mauna Kea Golf Resort reopened this Christmas week, with Jones Jr.’s renovations that incorporated modern design elements to enhance playability with the prevailing coastal winds that demand accuracy while preserving the historic charm, the release said.

When the renovation was announced in April, a post on the Mauna Kea Resort Golf Facebook page said: “I would suggest making the bunkers a little more shallow and flattening several greens so that they are more accessible to resort level golfers.”

Kansas Henderson, hotel manager of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel that is part of Mauna Kea Resort, said that by working with Jones Jr., “we’ve ensured the updated course remains true to his father’s original vision and continues to be one of the most celebrated in the world.”

The par-72 course has remained a bucket-list destination for golfers, with its seaside cliffs, undulating greens and the iconic over-the-ocean 3rd hole, which has been hailed as one of the most unforgettable challenges in the sport.

It plays 7,370 yards from the championship tees and 5,096 from the forward tees.

In 2024, it ranked among the best 200 golf courses in the world by Golfweek.

The press release outlined these renovation highlights:

• Upgraded fairways and greens: Seashore paspalum grass, known for its lush appearance and suitability for tropical climates, was planted to ensure optimal playing conditions year-round.

• Redesigned bunkers: They have been enhanced to improve playability and aesthetic appeal to complement the natural background. But they still provide a challenge for golfers of all levels.

• Restored iconic hole: The renowned over-the-ocean 3rd hole, a par-3 masterpiece with a kidney-shaped green and breathtaking cliffside views, remains a highlight of the course, demanding precision and rewarding players with unparalleled vistas.

• Commitment to sustainability: Efforts include water conservation using drought-tolerant seashore paspalum grass, native landscaping and eco-friendly management practices to help preserve the surrounding environment.

• Modern amenities: The renovation included a new state-of-the-art pro shop and practice range.

The golf course retains its challenging yet approachable design, offering a mix of long and short holes that cater to players of all skill levels, the release said.

The course will host the 51st annual Mauna Kea Pro-Am, a celebrated Hawai‘i Island event since 1973, offering members and PGA professionals the chance to play on this iconic course. The tournament runs Feb. 26-March 1.

As part of a multi-phased, $200-million renovation of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, the property will also debut a redesign of the resort’s 252 guest rooms and suites, and a brand-new destination spa and wellness center complete with an oceanfront adults-only infinity pool experience, 11 indoor and al fresco treatment rooms, an enlarged state-of-the-art fitness center, full-service salon, retail shops and dining outlets.

Mauna Kea Resort also has the 18-hole Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay-designed Hapuna Golf Course that opened in 1992.