As host of the annual Senior Skins game, Wailea Resort is promoting
itself as a world-class golf getaway, and accommodations in
Southwest Maui are capitalizing on that reputation by offering golf
packages year-round.
Officially called the ConAgra Foods Champions Skins Game at
Wailea, Senior Skins moved to Maui from its long-time home at Mauna
Lani Resort on The Big Island in early 2001.
Broadcast around the world, it features four of the top players
on the Senior PGA Tour one day and a quartet of LPGA stars the
next. Next year’s event begins with a pro-am tournament on Jan. 24,
2003, followed by the Senior Skins on Jan. 25 and LPGA Skins on
Jan. 26.
“The tournament allows us to put Wailea on the map as both a
great golf destination and an outstanding vacation spot,” said
Wailea Golf Club marketing manager and Skins Game tournament
director Barry Helle. “We can showcase Wailea to television
audiences around the world.”
While Helle couldn’t say exactly how many people came to Wailea
during the past year because of seeing Senior Skins on television,
he knows it has had an impact.
“On our guest comment cards, people answer that they heard of
Wailea and chose to come here after watching the Senior Skins
Game,” Helle said. “Group meeting planners tell us that their
executives or board members have requested Wailea because they want
to play the course that the Senior Skins game is on.
“Overall, Wailea’s hotels have fared as well as, or better than,
most resort properties in Hawaii in 2002,” Helle added. “We
wouldn’t have wanted to go through the last two years without the
exposure.”
Players in the 2003 Senior Skins game will be announced later
this month. At this year’s tournament, Hale Irwin defended his
title against Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Fuzzy Zoeller.
Wailea Resort is comprised of three courses, the Emerald, Gold
and Blue. The following Wailea accommodations offer packages that
come with rounds of golf on the courses:
Four Seasons Resort Wailea’s 2003 golf package
features a golf gift upon arrival, two rounds of play on the
Emerald, Gold or Blue courses, a sports massage and a session of
Feldenkrais, a program designed to increase range of motion and
improve flexibility and coordination. The five-night package ranges
from $2,375 to $4,000, with extra nights priced from $410. Call
800-334-MAUI.
The six condominiums of Destination Resorts
Hawaii provide guests with an add-on package called
Golfers Getaways. Clients staying May 3 to Dec. 19, 2003 can book
three rounds of golf on the Blue, Emerald or Gold courses for $345,
a savings of $45. Add a rental car for an extra $20 per day.
Nightly condominium rates start at $165. Call 800-367-5246.
Fairmont Kea Lani Maui’s golf package,
requiring a five-night minimum stay, includes three days of
unlimited golf for two, shuttle service to and from the golf club,
buffet breakfast for two each day, unlimited access to Spa Kea Lani
facilities and a 10% discount at the hotel’s Fairmont store.
Packages for 2003 start at $489 per night for accommodations in a
standard suite, with two-bedroom villa accommodations priced from
$1,550. Call 800-441-1414.
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa’s Grande
Golf For Two package offers two rounds of golf per day at the Gold,
Emerald or Blue courses. Nightly rates start at $654 per couple.
Call 800-888-6100.