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Sports Watch

By Bill Kwon

Friday, May 12, 2000

GOLF WATCH

Waikoloa joins
forces with Troon

WAIKOLOA and Troon Golf, acknowledged by many as the nation's premier high-end golf management company, have joined forces, which will make it a win-win situation for the Big Island resort, according to Thos Rohr, president of the Waikoloa Land Company.

"It's a terrific company, which has such courses as Troon North, Turnberry in Scotland, Castle Pines North, Cabo del Sol in Mexico and Innisbrook in Florida," Rohr said.

"It's a strategic alliance for us in the changing world of golf. Both of our hotels, Hilton and Outrigger, are looking forward to providing the Troon Golf Experience to golfers at Waikoloa Beach Resort. Troon Golf has a data bank of 500,000 golfers who play their 60 courses."

Waikoloa is the first Troon course in Hawaii, according to Dana Garmany, chairman and CEO of the company which is based in Scottsdale, Ariz., site of its flagship property, the Troon North Golf Club.

"We waited for the right moment to bring our company to Hawaii," said Garmany, "and Waikoloa fits perfectly into our portfolio of great properties. Waikoloa is located in the best stretch of golf in the world --from Hualalai to Mauna Kea."

GARMANY hopes to target Waikoloa heavily in the upcoming months as part of its corporate support.

"All 60 of our courses will be promoting Waikoloa," said Garmany. "We will try to bring in a higher concentration of visitors who are golfers."

In fact, added Garmany, "Our customers are demanding Hawaii."

Negotiations had been in the works from four to six months ago, according to Rohr and Garmany.

A Troon transition team, headed by former Kapalua pro Bruce Glasco, is already in place and the company is expected to begin operating Waikoloa's two courses -- the Kings and Beach - before the end of the month.

They're real aces:

Of the 34 University of Hawaii senior athletes honored for outstanding scholastic achievement today by Gov. Ben Cayetano at Washington Place, five are members of the Rainbow Wahine golf team coached by Marga Stubblefield.

Congratulations to four-year letter winners Linda Appelblad, Angie Park, Melissa Shintani, Desiree Ting and also Maria Boivie, who earned three letters.

Charity Chip-in:

Fifty representatives of Hawaii's hotel, airline and transportation companies literally chipped in to raise $5,000 for the Visitor Industry Charity Walk last Friday in a special golf outing at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

They took part in a chipping contest from the hotel's beach to the lagoon island.

Alan Cambra, general manager of the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki, was the closest to the pin, landing his ball seven feet, nine inches from the cup. Second was Yuri Giga, Halekulani's president and chief operating officer, at eight feet, five inches.

Sponsored by the Hawaii Hotel Association, the 22nd annual Charity Walk, which benefits more than 160 local charities, will be held May 20 throughout the state.

The Oahu event will start at 6 a.m. from the McCoy Pavilion in Ala Moana Beach Park. For more information, telephone 923-0407.

Be like Tiger:

The Poipu Bay Golf Course, home of the PGA Grand Slam won the last two years by Tiger Woods, is offering a special Grand Slam Package of $330 for three rounds of golf. It's $270 for guests of the Hyatt Regency Kauai.

The offer is available until Dec. 19, except during the week of the Nov. 20-22 PGA Grand Slam Nov. 20-22.