New day at Olomana

Olomana Golf Links has always appeared comfortable with its laid-back image. Its new owners would like to keep it that way, only better and more enticing to play more often.

Olomana’s image is much closer to a muni than a resort. Its setting in Waimanalo provides much of its beauty. Its staff is basically a third of some of the places new managing partner Ed Kageyama used to work. So are its prices.

It is probably most famous as the site of Casey Nakama’s Golf Development Center, which has nurtured so many of our finest junior golfers. Its success basically dates back to when Tiger Woods turned pro in 1997, followed by 10-year-old Nakama sensation Michelle Wie.

Nakama’s niche won’t change change much with Kageyama — whose three kids went through Nakama’s program — and his financial partners. Nakama’s contract will stay the same they say, and they would like to enhance his facilities.

Nakama is actually expanding this month, planning to add a smaller academy at Pearl Country Club Sept. 18 to make it easier for many of his players who live on that side.

Kageyama, golf director for Punahou’s seven programs, sees Olomana expanding in the long term. He wants to develop a golf learning academy and training center for college players and young pros, to complement Nakama’s program.

He is a huge fan.

“I want Olomana to be a central point for junior golf,” Kageyama says. “I think Casey’s program has produced the most college players of any junior program. I told him he talks about Michelle, but for parents … I want to get my kids through college, not on a tour.

“The program he has provides that and I think that part is under-rated. What’s not noticed enough is the amount of kids he’s put through college. If you quantify that in economic terms in the number of kids on scholarships and partial scholarships because of golf … his contribution to that, not only kids playing golf but getting really good educations, you can’t put a price on it.”

Kageyama’s job since he came home from the University of Washington in 1991 has been working for others — constructing, opening, “transitioning,” renovating and marketing 10 courses. He was with Billy Casper Golf nearly 20 years and has worked with 10 courses in Hawaii, including Ka‘anapali, Ko‘olau, Puakea, Kauai Lagoons, Royal Hawaiian and Turtle Bay — twice.

But like his father, who brought Midas Muffler here in the 60’s, he always wanted to work for himself. He was also drawn to “community-based grassroots” golf.

His friends and financial partners were drawn to Hawaii, and a golf course that could also be the site of an academy for young players.

Kageyama believes his partners’ visions are very similar to his — a prettier, better-conditioned course, with greens rolling consistently smooth, upgraded tee boxes and improved irrigation to help smooth out fairways. Maybe an open tournament in the future.

Chef Fred DeAngelo, formerly with Palomino and Ola, was brought in to “elevate” the restaurant while keeping it reasonable and appealing so guests would come back more often.

Bottom line, they want the Olomana experience to remain affordable and accessible. The focus — on the course and in the restaurant — will be on frequency.

The highest green fee now is $69. Olomana’s monthly passes are also $69, for unlimited weekday walking rounds after 4:30 p.m., for adults and juniors (who also get free range balls).

Kageyama hopes the promotion will encourage people to exercise more and get back into golf. It worked at Ka‘anapali.

“What we’ve seen in the past is a transition into more 18-hole play and playing weekends,” he says. “It gives them frequency. They walk in the afternoon, play more golf and feel better about their golf.”

For Kageyama, it is all about frequency. He calls golf’s current economic struggles a “correction” caused by over-building.

“There are still 24 million golfers in the U.S., something like that,” he says. “We don’t need to grow that 24 million into 25 million, it’s just keep those 24 million and get them to play one more round of golf than they normally do. Then the industry will start to become more healthy.

“At Olomana we have a good core of golfers who come here regularly. We are giving them opportunities to play here more frequently and be able to afford to play here more frequently. If I do my part, that translates into a greater industry.”

Nakama’s Pearl Academy will by led by pros Todd Rego and Kellan Asao. It will be open Sundays for now, with introductory, intermediate and advanced instruction available.

Nakama has about 200 students at Olomana. He is hoping to add up to 70 more at Pearl. For more information, email pccjrgolf@caseynakamagolf.com or call 259-7712.