Industry News

Mauna Lani Golf and Tennis welcomes Dave Ulm as new general manager


Hawai‘i Island, Hawaii (October 19, 2021) – Mauna Lani Golf & Tennis on Hawai‘i Island is pleased to welcome Dave Ulm as the facility’s new general manager. As general manager, Ulm will lead the golf and tennis operations, agronomy, retail and sales and marketing for Mauna Lani Golf & Tennis’ two award-winning golf courses and six championship tennis hardcourts.

Ulm has 22-plus years of golf industry experience working at both private and semi-private facilities over that time. He most recently served as general manager and chief operating officer of Rio Verde Country Club, a private club located in Rio Verde, Arizona just outside of Scottsdale. Prior to Rio Verde, Ulm was the director of sales and marketing at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale. Ulm has been with Troon for nearly 15 years, working at the company’s Scottsdale headquarters as director of private club sales, before working at Troon managed-facilities in New York and Arizona.

“I am extremely excited for this opportunity to oversee Mauna Lani Golf & Tennis which is undoubtedly the best 45-hole golf and tennis facility on the Big Island of Hawai’i,” said Ulm. “Mauna Lani is the perfect setting for anyone looking to enjoy the finest Hawai’i has to offer all while in a relaxed ‘barefoot luxury’ atmosphere. The Big Island is one of the most diverse climates and islands in the world and offers so much for visitors and our local ohana to enjoy day in and day out. My wife and I are so blessed to be a part of such an incredible team here at Mauna Lani. The Troon Golf and Auberge Resort teams look forward to providing the best experience in all of Hawai’i.”

Dave Ulm - Mauna Lani Golf & Tennis GM.jpg

Managed by Troon Golf, the resort and daily-fee management division of Troon, Mauna Lani Golf’s North and South Courses are masterpieces of design and are stunning examples of what environmentally-sensitive golf course architecture can achieve, with numerous archeological sites, trails, fishponds and ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs preserved throughout the courses. Both the North and South golf courses are recognized as two of Hawaii’s best in Golfweek’s 2021 “Best Courses You Can Play in Hawaii” ranking.

"We are delighted to announce Dave Ulm as General Manager of Golf and Tennis for Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection. With active wellbeing being one of Mauna Lani’s core pillars, Dave will ensure elevated experiences are curated and maintained across the areas of golf and tennis and take us into the next frontier as a luxury destination for the active and thoughtful traveler.  We are thrilled to welcome Dave to our Mauna Lani 'ohana and share with him the spirit of place unique to Kalahuipua’a," says Sanjiv Hulugalle, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection.

The North Course, a Homer Flint, Raymond Cain and Robin Nelson design, was built on an ancient lava bed, overlaying the rugged brown pahoehoe lava flow and features rolling fairways and runs through kiawe forests.  A 230-acre protected archeological district lies on the northern edge of the North Course, while feral goats roam the course, cropping the grass and providing a unique neutral hazard.  The par-3 17th is the signature hole on the North Course as a series of elevated tees form a natural amphitheater with the green at the base of a lava bowl. 

The South Course, also a Flint, Cain and Nelson design, was built on the 16th century Kaniku lava flow snaking through stark, rugged a‘a lava.  A pair of par 3s – the 7th and 15th holes – are Mauna Lani South’s signature holes and are two of the most photographed golf holes in the world. The South Course was home to the Senior Skins Game from 1990 to 2000.

For more information on Mauna Lani Golf, visit www.maunalanigolf.com or call 808-885-6655.

About Mauna Lani Golf 
Since opening in 1981, the Mauna Lani golf courses have collected numerous “best courses you can play” awards from Golfweek, Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine. Mauna Lani’s award-winning South Course formerly hosted the prestigious Hawaii State Open and was the site of the Senior Skins Game from 1990 to 2000, hosting many of golf’s greats, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Chi Chi Rodriquez, and Gary Player.

About Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
Situated along the sun-drenched Kohala Coast on sacred land marked by royal fishponds, natural lava plains, lush tropical gardens and alluring beaches, Mauna Lani – meaning “mountain reaching heaven” – is an inspiring spiritual haven defining a new era of experiential luxury on the Island of Hawaii. Among Travel + Leisure’s Top 500 Hotels in the World as well as Top 15 Beach Resorts in the U.S., Mauna Lani underwent a complete reimagination in January of 2020. Contemporary accommodations, oceanfront dining at CanoeHouse, three distinct pools, a signature spa and wellness haven including an on-site goop store, Kainalu sports and Living Culture programs, and an interactive Holoholo Kids Crew set the tone for enriching and transformational experiences. For more information on Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection please visit www.aubergeresorts.com/maunalani.

About Troon
Mauna Lani Golf is professionally managed by Troon. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at 590-plus locations around the globe, including managing 640-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 610-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 45-plus states and 30-plus countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Honours Golf, OB Sports, Indigo Golf Partners, CADDIEMASTER, True Club Solutions, Cliff Drysdale Tennis and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design. Troon-affiliated properties include Indian Wells Golf Resort in Indian Wells, California; Yas Links Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates; The Club at Savannah Harbor in Savannah, Georgia; and Lake of Isles in North Stonington, Connecticut. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.

Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com


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