HONOLULU (KHON2) — One of the busiest driving ranges on Oahu is shutting down for several months. Golfers said the temporary inconvenience will be well worth it.
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The driving range at the Ala Wai Golf Course desperately needs some work.
“I love coming here,” said Alex Melkonian, golfer. “I come here a few times a week. It’s a little muddy these days. The mats are kinda worn out a little bit.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen it like this,” said Shar Valeho, a golfer. “It’s just dirt and they need to fix it. It really needs to be renovated.”
The contract for the current driving range operator – Hawaii State Junior Golf Association and First Tee – is up. The city said now is the perfect time to revitalize the outfield, putting green and other areas of the facility. The driving range closes at the end of the month with plans to open sometime in the spring.
“We understand the importance and the high usage of our facility here at the Ala Wai Golf Course driving range and we’re very understanding that everyone loves to come here and we’re gonna do everything within our means to bring this facility back up to speed as soon as possible,” said Jordan Abe, Honolulu golf course system administrator.
This driving range is the only one open to the public in the greater Honolulu area. So when it’s closed, golfers will have to drive a half hour either way to practice. That’s east to the Hawaii Kai Golf Course, or west to Newtown Driving Range or the newly opened Pearl at Kalauao.
“Even to go to Hickam I try to knock two or three birds out with one stone,” said Valeho. “You know like go to the commissary, put gas, go to the driving range, you know or even go out to Mamala and play 18 holes.”
The City is also scheduled to repair the pedestrian bridge by the driving range, and the vehicle bridge on the road coming in. That work shouldn’t impact the golf course, which will remain open.
“We understand that the Ala Wai Golf Course driving range is not gonna be available, but you can always patronize our golf courses, six of them across the island,” said Abe.
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Bids for the new operator of the driving range will go out soon. The plan is to have that group in place as soon as possible, so the driving range can re-open once renovations are done.
“I hope it’s not closed for too long,” said Melkonian. “But I think it needs it so, I’m excited to see what they’re gonna do and how they’re gonna improve the place.”
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