When the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai reopened on Dec. 1 following its pandemic-induced closure, the property also debuted a sweeping revamp of the Hualalai Golf Course.
From Jan. 19 to 23, the course on the western side of Hawaii Island (commonly referred to as the Big Island) hosted the PGA's Mitsubishi Electric Championship, which it has done every year since debuting in 1996, and it was the first time professionals would fully test the retouched greens, fairways and bunkers.
"The pros gave it rave reviews," director of golf Brendan Moynahan said. "We got great comments on the new surfaces. I thought because of some of the new contours, the humps and bumps, that it might play a little harder than before. But the scores came in lower this year than last, so the pros really had a good time playing and were reading the greens well."
The par-72, Jack Nicklaus-designed course winds through challenging lavascape, with the course framed by black lava rock, rugged coastline and ocean vistas. After 25 years, though, the course was in need of care, Moynahan said, both upgrades and general maintenance.
"We had this project planned prior to the pandemic, but in a more limited scope," Moynahan said. "With the closure, we were able to do a little more than we originally planned to do."
The Bermuda grass used previously was replaced with paspalum, which better handles the high salinity from the seaside location. At first, the resort planned to just rework the greens, but the pandemic shutdown allowed it to regrass the fairways and roughs, as well.
The sand in bunkers was refreshed and some of the hazards were reshaped. Moynahan said that over the years some of the greens had flattened out, and new contours were added to add "personality" to the greens.
"The grass handles the salt air better, has a great emerald color, and the ball runs smoothly on it," Moynahan said.
Additionally, the resort debuted its renovated Hualalai Golf Hale, the base for instruction and socializing on the course, last February. It was open for roughly six weeks before the pandemic closed the property.
The 3,000-square-foot facility includes multiple bays for practice and swing analysis using TrackMan and other technology. It also features a TopGolf Swing Suite, a large screen with a variety of interactive programs that use motion tracking, including golf and hockey simulations, and a game where participants throw dodgeballs at approaching zombies.
Activities and services available at the Golf Hale include on-course lessons, minigolf schools, full-day retreats, multistudent lessons, indoor learn and play sessions using body mapping and motion tracking technology and other custom programs.
"We wanted the Golf Hale to be for everyone," Moynahan said. "We designed it to have not just the top-of-the-line technology for teaching, but also to be a gathering place for all levels of ability and interest in golf."
Last year, the resort introduced the role of Director of Instruction, tapping Brady Riggs in November to head up operations at the Golf Hale. Riggs came from Hansen Dam Golf Course in Pacoima, Calif. and has been named to Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers in America list 13 years running.
"Brady is super well-respected, and we're very excited to have him," Moynahan said. "He is very knowledgeable and is working on some great programming with guest speakers."
PGA Tour player Brandon Hagy, known for his long drives, recently held a workshop where he talked about the short game in addition to explaining how he generates power on his tee shots.
"We're super excited about everything happening here from the Golf Hale and expansion of instruction to the course renovations," Moynahan said. "We've had a great response, and I just look forward to getting more people out here and we hopefully move past the pandemic."
The Hualalai Golf Course is only open to members of the golf club, those staying at the resort and their guests. The Hualalai Golf Hale is open to the public.