Hawaiian golf course undergoes renovation with all new grass

The Hapuna Golf Course, part of Mauna Kea Resort along the Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii, has completed a renovation that upgraded the playing turf, reshaped several fairways and improved the bunkers. Along with the highly ranked Mauna Kea Golf Course, Hapuna is one of two courses at the resort. 

Hapuna was designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay and opened in 1992 with plenty of elevation changes and coastal views. The recent renovation switched all turf to seaside paspalum grass, which is well-suited for coastal environments while offering reduced water requirements.  

“Hapuna Golf Course has always stood out for its striking setting and approachable yet rewarding design,”Marguerite Heap, hotel manager at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort that is part of Mauna Kea Resort, said in a press release announcing completion of the project.“With these enhancements, we’ve elevated the playing experience while staying true to Palmer and Seay’s original vision, ensuring the course continues to be a standout within Mauna Kea Resort’s celebrated golf offerings.”

Jason Luskis Golfweek's travel and golf course architecture editor, as well as the magazine's creative director. He has written for and designed Golfweek for more than two decades.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Hapuna Golf Course at Mauna Kea Resort in Hawaii completes renovation