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Posted on: Thursday, May 3, 2001

Hawai'i course of the week
Kiele at Kaua'i Lagoons Resort

It is said that when legendary golfer and architect Jack Nicklaus created the Kiele Course at Kaua'i Lagoons, the terrain lent itself so well to his vision that he made but a single change to his original design.

The Kiele Course has a sense of style uniquely its own. Fairways weave along imposing ocean cliffs, over promontories high above the harbor, and along some 40 acres of fresh water lagoons. Lush groves of exotic foliage thrive among the holes. A solitary wedding chapel sits on the water off the 17th tee. Each hole is marked by a white marble statue of an animal or mythical being such as the Happy Buddha.

Golfers who strive to emulate Nicklaus' playing style will find that Kiele suits the man to a tee. Built in the late 1980s, this championship course rewards players who can hit the ball high to carry an assortment of drainage creeks, ravines and lagoons.

Kiele's signature hole is No. 16. Measuring 330 yards, the par-4 is a bit trickier than its 14 handicap suggests. The ocean borders the left side of the fairway, which slopes downhill and usually downwind. The green is built on a small peninsula that juts into the sea. Golfers can consider driving the green, but if the ball doesn't hold the turf, it's likely to be sitting at the bottom of the sea.

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FACTS, FIGURES: Kiele at Kaua'i Lagoons Resort (72, 6,637) — 3351 Hoolaulea Way, Lihu'e, 96766. 241-6000 or 800-634-6400 (outside Kaua'i). Resort. Green fees (cart mandatory): Kama'aina $65, Kaua'i Marriott guest $113, Kaua'i visitor $123, nonresident $145. Juniors (17-under) $30 kama'aina, $65 nonresident.

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If you want your golf course to be featured as a Hawai'i course of the week, you can e-mail a photo, a synopsis and facts and figures of the course to: sports@honoluluadvertiser.com

Or mail to: The Honolulu Advertiser Golf Page, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu HI, 96802