Fans of Onward Golf Resort formerly the Talofofo Golf Resort (See "Onward tees up to buy Talofofo Golf Resort" in the May 2 2005 edition of the Journal.) will be happy to know that renovations to the golf course will be completed before the holiday season with a grand opening scheduled for Nov. 11. Tamotsu Ito general manager of the Onward Golf Resort told the Journal "The property was purchased Oct. 28 2005 and renovations as soon as the purchase was finalized."
The main changes to the course include changing the type of grass on the greens and reshaping the fairways.
"We’ll be changing everything. The main changes will be to the greens. The greens are very important so all the greens will be changed." Tifton Eagle grass was added to all of the greens. He said this type of grass is the fastest type of Bermuda grass and that it is being used at the LeoPalace Resort and will be used at the Mangilao golf club. "This is a trend. Faster grass is a trend in golfing so we provided our customers with faster greens. We also totally changed the shape of the greens. It’s like a whole new greens " Ito said.
The renovations will not affect the size of the course. Ito said the course will remain the same size and the pars will also remain the same.
The majority of the fairways will also be renovated. He said "All of the weeds will be removed and we will be reshaping them. We are trying to provide a new type of golf course however nine famous Professional Golfers’ Association senior golf players designed the original Talofofo Golf Resort so we are respecting the original design while adding more strategy to the course. We’re trying to provide more fun for all types of golfers from beginners to seasoned players."
Ito said the resort would be providing a new signature hole. Hole No. 5 the course’s new signature hole features an island green surrounded by water.
Ito said that he invited members of the United States Golf Association to come and evaluate the course. He hopes to have them out here by September or October before the grand opening.
Takao Okada a Japanese certified golf course architect designed the plans for the renovations. Okada has also worked on the LeoPalace’s golf course. Ito said Okada’s design "Is the same basic design as the old course but will feature more attractions.
"Eighty-five percent to 90% of the renovations to the course are complete. We are in the final phase of renovations "" growing and maintaining the grass. All of the shaping is done we are beautifying the course " Ito said.
Along with renovations to the course the clubhouse will also be undergoing renovations. Ito said the exterior would remain the same. Renovations to the interior include the removal of the carpet and the installation of Italian tile.
Ito would not say how much the renovations would cost. He told the Journal "I can only say the total project including the purchase of the golf course is $15 million. I cannot specifically mention the different costs."
"Our goal is to provide the No. 1 golf course on Guam and maintain it and in the future maybe hold some tournaments. Everybody knows the Talofofo Golf Resort. It was one of the best courses on Guam. This course is the Talofofo golf course reborn. People will recognize it but notice the differences." Ito hopes the Onward Golf Resort will reach the same quality as the golf courses in the U.S.
As for catering and banqueting services Ito said that because the golf course is a subsidiary of the Onward Beach Resort "Guests can expect the same service as the hotel." He would not say what exactly would be served but he did say that people familiar with the Onward Beach Resort’s food would see many of the same items served at the clubhouse.
Onward Kashiyama Co. Ltd. the parent company of Onward Beach Resort entered into final negotiations with Talofofo Golf Resort’s parent company for the purchase of the golf course in the Spring 2005 purchasing of the hotel on Oct.
Onward Beach Resort officially opened its doors on Guam on May 23 1992. The hotel’s parent company takes its name from its owner "" a famous Japanese clothing designer. Talofofo Golf Resort opened up half of its course in December 1992 and had its official grand opening in April 1993.
