After an extensive enhancement led by Robert Trent Jones II, Mauna Kea Resort unveiled its newly renovated Mauna Kea Golf Course the week of Christmas.
The reopening coincides with the 60th anniversary of the golf course’s original opening on Dec. 10, 1964, by the Big Three — Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player —that marked a historic milestone in its legacy.
First crafted in 1964 by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the 18-hole Mauna Kea Golf Course transformed a rugged and barren black lava field into lush, world-class fairways, establishing it as the island’s first resort course.
Updated by his son Rees Jones decades later, and most recently by the Jones II and his firm, Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects, the course holds a unique distinction as the only one in the world to feature the combined vision of the Jones family — father and both sons.
For six decades, it has remained a bucket-list destination for golf enthusiasts, captivating players with its seaside cliffs, undulating greens, and the iconic over-the-ocean third hole, which is hailed as one of the most unforgettable challenges in the sport. Jones II incorporated modern design elements to enhance playability while preserving the course’s historic charm.
"The Mauna Kea Golf Course has long been hailed as one of Hawaii's top courses, with a deep history and cultural connection to the island," said Kansas Henderson, hotel manager of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. “With this renovation, we’ve elevated the course to new heights, while honoring its legacy. By working alongside its original designer’s son, Robert Trent 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."
Highlights of the renovation include:
> Upgraded fairways and greens: The course now features seashore paspalum grass, known for its lush appearance and suitability for tropical climates, ensuring optimal playing conditions year-round.
> Redesigned bunkers: Enhanced for modern play while complementing the natural landscape, the redesigned bunkers offer improved playability and aesthetic appeal.
> Restored iconic holes: The renowned over-the-ocean third hole, a par-3 masterpiece with a kidney-shaped green and breathtaking cliffside views, remains a highlight of the course.
> 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 reimagination also includes a state-of-the-art pro shop, practice range, professional lessons, and GPS-equipped carts to enhance the golfing experience.
BIG CEDAR LODGE CREATES CLIFFHANGERS
Big Cedar Lodge, the Ozarks playground in southwest Missouri, will add a new 18-hole par-3 course in summer 2025. Called Cliffhangers, the course will be draped atop a ridge next to the property’s Payne’s Valley layout, which was designed by Tiger Woods.
For Cliffhangers, Big Cedar Lodge domo Johnny Morris kept the design in-house — it’s a collaboration between himself and his son, John Paul Morris. Holes will measure from 60 to 165 yards and will deliver dramatic elevation changes and a mix of large and small, highly sectionalized and undulating greens.
"We wanted to put people in touch with different vistas, beautiful spots of nature all along the golf course," said the elder Morris.
"There were a few question marks along the way as to how we were going to fit all 18 holes on this crazy, steep hillside," John Paul Morris said. "I think we ended up with a heck of a routing and some unbelievable golf holes."
Big Cedar Lodge already is home to five courses, including three championship spreads— Buffalo Ridge by Tom Fazio, Ozarks National by Coore & Crenshaw, and Payne’s Valley. There are also two short courses, the 13-hole Mountain Top, a Gary Player design, and the nine-hole Top of the Rock, a Jack Nicklaus product that once played host to the PGA Tour Champions.
Amid holes that will tee off from caves, through water cascades and on the edge of limestone cliffs, Cliffhangers will finish adjacent to the bonus 19th hole at Payne’s Valley, which was made famous when the course opened with a match between Woods, Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose in 2020.
THE SOCIAL ASPECT
Terrace Park! Another round of work this Fall - bunker and green complex work holes 1 and 8. Looking great @scottleschander #🤘 pic.twitter.com/3kk2O6mKUW
— Andy Staples (@buildsmartrgolf) November 21, 2024
GREEN EAGLE EXPANDS REACH
Green Eagle Golf Courses in Winsen, Germany and host since 2017 to the DP World Tour’s European Open, is adding a new championship layout to pair with its existing tournament venue. Located 23 miles southeast of Hamburg, Green Eagle dates to 1997, when club co-owner Michael Blesch designed the North and South courses. European Golf Design reworked six greens on the North course in anticipation of the tour event arriving to the 7,485-yard spread, which features water on 17 holes and is ranked as Germany’s toughest track. In hopes of attracting a future Ryder Cup, Blesch will reduce the South to nine holes and use the land on the other nine as part of the new West course.
“The vision is to create a second European Tour course beside the North and to bring the Ryder Cup to Germany for the first time in 2035,” Blesch told golfcoursearchitecture.net. “The strategy is to attract international guests to Germany via the European Tour and achieve high-quality tourism through high-quality golf courses. To this end, the construction of a hotel at the club is also planned.”
The expected configuration of the three courses will allow players to start and finish their rounds near the clubhouse and also takes advantage of the irrigation system currently in place.
“The idea has been to work out how the greens can best challenge the top players,” said Blesch. “The greens will be more difficult and riskier than on the North course. This makes it more exciting not only for the players, but also for Ryder Cup spectators.”
Accommodating spectators is an integral component in the design of the West, as well as incorporating multiple risk/reward scenarios. “The West is characterized by a high level of match play,” said Blesch. “This can be seen, for example, in the shorter par-4 holes, where players can attack directly over water. There is a lot of water on the course and in contrast to the North, there are only a few bunkers. Heather also lines some fairways—this is more penalizing than a bunker for top players.”
The new nine-hole South and nine holes of the West course are expected to open in April 2025. Plans call for the entire new West course to open in autumn 2025.
