Tiger Woods and Gil Hanse have been selected as the lead architects for two new golf courses that will be built as the centerpiece of a new resort in planning on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
The project – Mākaha Valley Resort – is commissioned by Pacific Links International (PLI), an international membership network focused on avid, traveling Chinese golfers that offers reciprocal or affiliate access to approximately 400 destinations in 37 countries. Its membership roster in China tops 17,000 and includes over 125,000 golfers from participating network clubs.
The Mākaha Valley Resort is planned as a 644-acre mixed-used property on Oahu’s Leeward Coast, which faces the Southwest, is less affected by trade winds, and is generally sunnier and drier than the Windward side of the island. Visitors flying into Honolulu would drive west, past the Pearl Harbor area, to get to the resort, which is nestled high above the Pacific and features lush, rolling terrain.
Woods and TGR Design will lead the development of the Mākaha North Course, while Hanse, creator of the Olympic Course in Rio de Janeiro, will develop the Mākaha South Course.
The North Course will like in the shadows of the emerald green Waianae Mountain Range and will be highlighted by views of Mt. Ka’ala, an ancient volcano which is Oahu’s highest peak, and expansive ocean views. With wide fairways dotted by bunkers and intricate greens featuring large, tightly-mowed surrounds, the layout will promote strategic options and different routes of play.
“We focus on finding spectacular locations to design distinct and memorable golf courses,” Woods said. “The Mākaha Valley on the west coast of Oahu is truly one of these unique and special locations. The cathedral-like setting of the property is framed with big ocean views to the west and towering mountains to the east. We are designing a golf course that will take advantage of this spectacular setting yet still be fun and playable for golfers of all abilities.”
Hanse’s South Course will be built on sloping topography with several natural washes and features significant elevation changes in spots. The design will be inspired by classic California courses such as Riviera, Bel Air and The Los Angeles Country Club, which were built by course architect George Thomas.
“(It) should yield an interesting and thoughtful course to play and a spectacular one to look at,” said Hanse, who recently built Streamsong Resort’s Black Course in Florida and redesigned the No. 4 course at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.
Bringing together names like Woods and Hanse is a first in the golf design world and a significant commitment by Pacific Links International and its founder, Du Sha, who said he’s hoping to create one of the world’s finest and most sought-after golf destinations. PCI has partnered with its developer, Stanford Carr, over the past two years to work with community leaders, landowners, native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and regulatory agencies of the State and City on the long-term vision for the Mākaha Valley Resort. Using a traditional Hawaiian concept called Ahupua’a, which holistically considers the entire valley from mountain to ocean, it plans to incorporate Hawaiian culture, golf, homes, resort, community use, economic development, recreational uses, and natural resource management.
The two golf courses will flank the mixed-use development, which will also include an arts and community center, and a health and wellness center in phase one. Timeshare properties, golf villas, and multi-family residential units will eventually be added in phase two. A projected opening date for the courses hasn’t been set.
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