Hawaii State Open
The Aloha Section PGA, Turtle Bay Golf and Turtle Bay Resort have entered into a three-year agreement that will place the Hawaii State Open at Turtle Bay Golf’s Arnold Palmer and George Fazio golf courses. The first tournament, newly titled the Turtle Bay Resort Hawaii State Open, will be held December 17-20, 2009.
“We are excited about hosting one of the Aloha Section PGA’s marquee events at Turtle Bay Resort,” says Jim Haugh, Executive Director/CEO of the ASPGA. “Matt Hall and his staff have been terrific partners over the years hosting Aloha Section events. The ability to utilize both the Palmer and Fazio courses enables us to grow the event’s popularity among local golf enthusiasts and potential to attract top talent from Asia and the US mainland.”
Traditionally Hawaii’s last tournament of the year, the Hawaii State Open is also one of the state’s oldest events. First played in the 1920s, the tournament was the ultimate championship to determine the best golfer in the Islands. After major changes to the tournament that established it as an annual PGA Tour stop but excluded local players, the tournament did not return to its original form until the Aloha Section PGA took the reins in 1993. With the goal of enhancing the tournament’s rich traditions, the ASPGA strove to host the event at the best courses throughout the islands.
Past champions of the Hawaii State Open include 1987 US Open Champion Scott Simpson, PGA Tour Player Dean Wilson, Kevin Hayashi, Jarett Hamamoto, Casey Nakama, Brian Sasada, and Japan PGA touring professional and local favorite David Ishii.
“It is an honor to not only be the host but to also be the title sponsor of this event”, Vice President and General Manager of Turtle Bay Resort Bob Boyle stated. “We feel it is a privilege, in these uncertain economic times, to be able to invest in the future of golf in Hawaii. What we are most excited about is that our sponsorship will allow for ‘one stop shopping’ for the Aloha Section. We have the rooms, dining and everything else in one location that is required for a first class golf tournament.”
September 29th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Golf at such a wonderful place is very amusing. Enjoying the climate and playing is a great pleasure.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Looks like a great place to relax and play some golf. Hawaii has been on the holiday radar for some time but now is at the top of the list.