Bay View back from the brink

Bay View Golf Course’s latest reincarnation involves a little divine intervention.

Bay View Golf Park, which includes a par-60 executive course, was purchased the end of last year by Windward Church of the Nazarene, located two blocks away. The church, a parsonage for Pastor Jerry Appleby and a 270-student academy (pre-school through eighth grade) was packed on four acres. It had been searching for space to expand for nearly a decade.

“It all came together with us making an inquiry into what’s happening on this 115-acre golf course we could see was deteriorating terribly,” said Appleby, who was inspired by First Presbyterian’s purchase of Ko‘olau Golf Club a few years ago. “When we did, we found out it was going into bankruptcy … the third in its last four ownerships. Obviously it looked to us like a David and Goliath story. We were just way too small to take on this epic task. But we just kept going through and doors seemed to open.”

Windward Nazarene has moved its Sunday service and offices to Bay View and hopes to have a high school there in five years. It envisions a full athletic program with soccer and softball fields — and a golf team with a great short game.

The course is only 2,856 yards long — less than half the distance of most. But that distance appeals to certain golfers — those older and younger, who like to walk or have trouble getting around a full-size course, those who place an emphasis on approach shots, chipping and putting.

Plus, you can play Bay View in less than 3 hours. Kamaaina can walk it for $13 weekdays ($17 weekends), with nine-hole and junior/senior specials. Carts are $7.

And Bay View, set in a residential area but remarkably serene and scenic back in the day, has unique charms. There are natural and man-made fishponds and pretty views. Robin Nelson re-designed it in 1997, when a double-decker driving range and mini-golf course were added. A zip line came later. The cart paths are ideal walking paths outside golf hours. The restaurant used to be a great local hangout.

“A lot of dreams came up,” said Appleby, whose background is in faith-based non-profit work. He encouraged his church to think beyond its “four walls and be part of its community and a partner with its community for families to blossom.” Saturday morning, the Castle High cheerleaders have a car wash at the course, run in conjunction with a community craft fair.

Billy Casper Golf management company was brought in to run the course. It manages more than 130 nationwide, including Ka‘anapali, Puakea and Kukuiolono. The site was blessed at Easter and Bay View Grill and Catering opened. Ed Kageyama, BCG’s PGA Regional Manager for Hawaii and Asia-Pacific, came in and started from scratch, or weeds, or whatever Bay View was sitting on after two years without water.

“When I was driving the course before we purchased it, I was on No. 5 and these guys came running out, saying you can’t drive on the green,” recalls Appleby. “There wasn’t any grass there. I didn’t know it was a green. To see them now …the greens are gorgeous, the grass is so pretty and leveled out with sand. Putts don’t bounce anymore.”

There is still lots to do. Kageyama, also the Punahou girls coach, began with irrigation, eradicating weeds and “feeding the turf.” He envisions a developmental center for juniors and the church is in full support. He brings his players to practice their short game.

“I want them to hit greens. All the scoring is from 150 yards and in,” he says. “It’s good for them and it’s good for higher handicappers. It helps them get comfortable with playing on a golf course and getting around a golf course. It’s very user-friendly. And for juniors, it’s just the right size.”

Seniors too. The BVDs (Bay View Dames) club has played every Monday for the last 15 years-plus. The golfers range in age from 40s to 90s. Some are just starting and others don’t have the stamina for a regulation course. They have played Bay View at its worst — they hope — and are heartened to see what’s happening.

“It’s a golf course again,” says Kim Ickler. “The greens are green again. They cut the grass. It looks like a real golf course.”

Others have noticed. Last Sunday, 139 teed off at Bay View. Appleby said when this leap of faith began the course was lucky to see 30 a day. Play at the mini-golf course has tripled. There is even talk of bringing back the Bay View lights on the front nine, for a family-friendly evening format.

Amazing what a little water, and divine intervention, will do.