LIHUE, HI - One of golf's greatest players spent hours on the oceanfront Kauai Lagoons golf course on a hot summer day, but he didn't tee up or swing a club. Instead, golf legend Jack Nicklaus returned to the Garden Isle to map out the redesign of his signature Kauai Lagoons Golf Club.

"It's great to be back here in Hawaii and at Kauai Lagoons," said Nicklaus. "Kiele was always one of my favorite courses and what they are doing to enhance the golf course here makes a lot of sense. With these changes, Kauai Lagoons Golf Course is going to be an incredible golf facility with a premier layout and immaculate course conditions."

Rated as one of the Top 50 golf resorts in Golf World's Readers Choice Awards two years in a row, the original Kauai Lagoons offered 36 holes divided into two courses -- the oceanfront Kiele Course and the Mokihana Course. The redesign will result in nine of Mokihana's holes being added to the Kiele Course for a total of 27 holes. Improvements will be done in three phases, including new irrigation, new grass on the greens, new sand in the bunkers and drainage and design changes. One of the highlights will be the addition of a new oceanfront hole, bringing the total to four with a half mile stretch of ocean holes, the longest such stretch in the state. The other holes on this renovated Kiele nine boast incredible panoramic ocean views.

"We are excited about the changes Jack and his team have planned," said Scott Ashworth, Kauai Lagoons' PGA Director of Golf and recipient of Marriott's Golf Professional of the Year award in 2009. "When the renovation is done, golfers will enjoy an unforgettable playing experience from the moment they step onto the course until the final hole."

Expected to be completed in 2013, golf course renovations include a new club house at Fashion Landing and a new driving range. The upgrades are part of the revitalization of the entire Kauai golf resort area.

"With the enhancements being planned for Kauai Lagoons Golf, the entire Kauai Lagoons Resort Destination is re-emerging as a world-class destination for leisure travelers and group meetings, as we have just completed the $50 million makeover at Kauai Marriott Resort in addition to our Marriott Vacation Club," said Brad Snyder, area general manager.

The transformed Kauai luxury resort on Kalapaki Beach now features redesigned guest rooms, restaurants and a new kids' swimming pool. Kauai Marriott Resort guests will continue to enjoy benefits at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club such as preferred resort rates and clinics.

For more information, visit www.Marriottvacationclub.com.