Turtle Bay Resort Becomes the
“Home of the Hawaii State Open”
Kahuku, HI, May 20, 2009: The Aloha Section PGA and Turtle Bay Resort announces 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 event, newly titled the Turtle Bay Resort Hawaii State Open, will be held December 17-20, 2009. Jim Haugh, Executive Director/CEO of the Aloha Section PGA, Bob Boyle, Turtle Bay Resort’s Vice President and General Manager, and Matt Hall, Turtle Bay’s Director of Golf made the announcement.
“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. In 2006, the ASPGA handed the event over to the ASPGA Foundation in order to raise additional funds for the promotion of golf throughout the islands and in support of junior golf programs.
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. Former Hawaii native Nick Mason will attempt to defend his 2008 title at this year’s event.
“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.”
# # #
The Aloha Section PGA is one of 41 Sections of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. The PGA of America was founded in 1916 with the mission to promote interest, participation, enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf, establish and maintain standards of practice, and enhance the well being of golf professionals. With almost 260 members and apprentices employed throughout the state of Hawaii, Aloha Section golf professionals are responsible for managing
Turtle Bay Resort is operated by Benchmark Hospitality International and is a Preferred Hotels® & Resorts Worldwide property - a collection of the world's finest independent luxury hotels.
Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Hotels™. The privately held company, launched in 1980, is a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers. Benchmark Hospitality is a worldwide organization operating properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations. Benchmark's international headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston, with regional offices in New Jersey and Connecticut. International offices are located in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark’s properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com
