A Father and His Two Sons

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has completed a phased renovation as part of its $180 million transformation, preserving its timeless charm and distinctive beauty.

KOHALA COAST, ISLAND OF HAWAII: Mauna Kea Golf Course holds a special distinction as the only design to have the fingerprints of Robert Trent Jones Sr., and his two sons, Rees Jones and Robert Trent Jones Jr., on its routing blueprints.

In his seven decades as golf’s most prolific architect, Robert Trent Jones Sr. (1906-2000) logged an estimated eight million miles, created or remodeled more than 350 courses, including more courses for national championships than any other golf architect.

Raised primarily by their mother, Rees and Robert Jr. grew up vying for their father’s love, considered by many to be an imposing but emotionally distant man who was on the road more often than not—an absent presence in his sons’ lives.

“My dad gave golf architects an identity. Most of the architects of the golden age of golf course design prior to World War II—Ross, Tillinghast, MacKenzie—got their identity as architectural greats after death,” said Rees Jones. “Dad managed to get his identity early in his career, as a result of his own actions.”

“I remember driving around Mauna Kea Golf Course with my dad as a youngster,” expressed Robert Trent Jones Jr. “He taught me to avoid the Vs on a topography map because that’s where the water runs. The water runs in the opposite direction of the Vs. You can’t design a course just for limber backs; it must be fair for all. Harder isn’t always better. There must be a balance between crafting a course capable of hosting a championship and also concern for the transient resort guest experience. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is where the dramatic ocean meets the great land.”

The Mauna Kea Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., opened in 1964. Laurance Rockefeller, original owner of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and prominent third-generation member of the Rockefeller family, produced a promotional made-for-television event with Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Arnold Palmer to quickly establish the hotel on the world’s stage. It was rumored that the trio didn’t want to play from the back tee box on the resort’s famous third hole, with the concern that they wouldn’t be able to clear the crashing waves and lava rock.

It was renovated by Rees Jones in 2008 and underwent further enhancements by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in 2024 as part of the celebration of the resort’s 60th anniversary.

Jones Sr. and Rees Jones designed the course to handle a major PGA TOUR event. Jones Jr. has softened the course to make it more playable for everyday guests.

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” smiled Jeff Keyes, head golf professional. “Or, maybe I should say ‘a macadamia nut doesn’t fall far from the tree’ considering we are located near Kona, Hawaii.

“Each of the three architects had a distinctive [often contrasting] style,” continued Keyes. “Jones Sr. was known for designs with long tee boxes [sometimes the length of an aircraft carrier] and holes that were a hard par, but easy bogie. Rees Jones ‘hardened’ the course with tougher bunker and green complexes in the chance of landing a professional golf tournament.

“Now, Jones Jr. [recognized for a more straightforward use of hazards and fairway mounding] has ‘softened’ its playability. Your handicap in the USGA system will thank you!” detailed Keyes. “I found him to be a sharp individual who listens to others. One request made was to flatten some of the greens for three reasons. One to make the breaks less severe; second, to open up additional pin positions on the green; and finally, we realized you don’t have the benefit of local knowledge. Simply saying your putt breaks toward the ocean isn’t of much help when you are on an island.”

Preserving a Culture

As time approached for the grand reopening of the golf course, everyone paused and hushed for the opening ceremonial Oli Blessing. “Our culture will allow you to better understand Hawaii’s people,” said Grayden Hai-Kelly, Mauna Kea Resort’s director of culture. “Hawaii is so much more than a place of sun. We are caring people who don’t just say aloha, we live it. I carry aloha in my heart as my foundation—and I say this because it truly keeps me grounded, connected to everything like the lands, ocean, the place so that we’re able to share our mo‘olelo [stories] and to have a relationship with something much deeper spiritually.”

For information on seasonal golf packages, please visit MaunaKeaBeachHotel.com.