PO’IPU – Ron Castillo Jr., three-time Sony Open in Hawai’i qualifier and 2002 Aloha Section PGA “Player of the Year” has been named the Director of Golf for Kiahuna Golf Club (KGC). KGC changed ownership to a group of nine
PO’IPU – Ron Castillo Jr., three-time Sony Open in Hawai’i qualifier and 2002 Aloha Section PGA “Player of the Year” has been named the Director of Golf for Kiahuna Golf Club (KGC).
KGC changed ownership to a group of nine local investor/owners last week.
“We’re so pleased to have Ron on board. He and his family are legendary in Hawaii’s golf community,” said KGC’s new General Manager James Massaro.
Castillo will begin at KGC today and will be responsible for all golf operations. He will be in charge of customer service, marketing, and golf related services.
“Kiahuna Golf Club has awesome potential,” said Castillo.
“I’m looking forward to being part of the new owners dream to restore the Kiahuna golf course to its original luster, and make it the course that all of Kaua’i will want to come to.”
Castillo was born and raised on Oahu and graduated from the University of New Mexico.
He has lived on the Big Island for the last 10 years and resided on Maui before that.
Castillo has worked at several resorts and golf courses throughout Hawai’i and has two decades of combined experience with The Kapalua and Mauna Kea Resorts.
This year has marked Castillo’s third time as a Sony Open in Hawai’i qualifier. In 2002, he was Aloha Section PGA “Player of the Year,” and won the Aloha Section PGA Match-Play for the second time and the Stroke-Play Championship.
He also won the 2000 Section Club Pro Championship at The Po’ipu Bay Golf Course.
“I have been a golfer since I was eight years old. Golf has been a part of my family’s lifestyle as long as I can remember,” said Castillo.
“The people of Kaua’i are beautiful and as diverse as any island in Hawai’i.”
He added, “We all have golf as a common thread. I will truly enjoy moving my family to Kiahuna.”
Ron is married and has two children.
He is joining his two brothers who are also golf pros on Kaua’i.
Kiahuna Golf Club, designed by world-famous golf architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr., is nearly 6,400 yards long, and plays to a par 70.
Abundant water hazards and challenging prevailing trade winds characterize Kiahuna as “the longest short golf course you’ll ever play.”
For more information about Kiahuna Golf Club, visit its website at www.kiahunagolf.com.