Maui, Hawaii -- Billy Casper Golf and Kaanapali Golf Courses, a USGA selected site for U.S. Open local and sectional qualifiers for 2005, announced free individual golf instruction is offered throughout May at the Kaanapali practice range as part of "PGA Free Lesson Month," a national program sponsored by the PGA of America.
The free, 10-minute lesson focuses on all aspects of the game depending on individuals' needs and abilities. Topics for instruction, specified by players when scheduling their appointment, include the full swing, short game, putting, course management, and rules and etiquette.
Across the country in May, more than 5,500 golf facilities and 6,700 PGA professionals will give instruction aimed at introducing new people to the game of golf, helping beginners improve, and promoting the benefits of instruction from PGA Professionals.
"PGA Free Lesson Month is a wonderful way to bring new people to the game who have never played before," says Ed Kageyama, PGA general manager at Kaanapali, which is managed by Billy Casper Golf. "Golf is a fun game for people to learn and our instructors at the Kaanapali courses are thrilled to share this, for free, during the month of May."
Kageyama, president of the PGA Aloha Section and who was recently featured on The Golf Channel's Golf Academy Live, and Scott Ashworth, head golf professional and a PGA member, are among the credentialed Kaanapali staff conducting the instruction.
For more information about golf at Kaanapali, visit www.kaanapali-golf.com .
Kaanapali's par-71 Tournament North Course opened in 1962 and is one of only two layouts in Hawaii designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Measuring nearly 7,000 yards, the course stretches along the Maui coastline before winding its way to the foothills of the West Maui Mountains.
A 36-hole property, Kaanapali is also home to the Resort South Course. The South Course is in the process of undergoing major renovations to include a new irrigation installation, re-grassing of greens and tee boxes and renovations to the bunkers and landscaped areas surrounding the course. Robin Nelson will oversee the enhancements to the original Arthur Jack Snyder designed layout. The Resort South Course closed April 1 and is expected to reopen Nov. 15.
In 2004, Kaanapali hosted the first Hawaiian U.S. Open local qualifying tournament. On May 14, Kaanapali will host one of three local qualifiers in the islands and will be one of only 14 sites to host a sectional qualifier for the U.S. Open June 6.
More instruction
Billy Casper Golf and Puakea Golf Course, a Nelson design on the isle of Kauai, also announced free individual golf instruction. The instruction will be offered May 7 through 10.
"This is a great program sponsored by the PGA of America and we are happy to participate," says Paul Ito, PGA professional and director of golf at Puakea. "During May we will focus on bringing new athletes to the game of golf for a fun afternoon at the range, and for those avid golfers, to help adjust their swing so that they can better enjoy the game."
For more information about golf at Puakea, visit www.puakeagolf.com.
