Hawk’s Prairie’s condition being restored

For years, The Golf Club at Hawk’s Prairie in Lacey, Wash. has been one of the most popular golf destinations with its two courses- Woodlands and Links. Both are different, both are challenging and both have always provided good tests of golf- and the results through the years have been the same as golfers have flocked to the courses.

The Links Course at Hawk’s Prairie was designed by Peter L.H. Thompson and features a Scottish feel playing from 5,202 yards to 6,887 yards. There are views of Mount Rainier and the Puget Sound as you play the rolling fairways. The Woodlands Course is more of a classic Northwest feel with fairways that meander through the tall trees with ponds and wetlands doting the landscape. The course plays from 5,600 yards to 7,710 yards.

But sometimes things change. David Hein, the VP of Oki Golf, started to take notice that conditions at Hawk’s Prairie were going in the wrong direction last year. The numbers were falling off in terms of play and much of it had to do with the conditions at both golf courses. Hein knew something needed to be done to restore Hawk’s Prairie to what it once was and to bring golfers back to the two courses.

“We knew that Hawk’s Prairie needed help,” said Hein. “The conditions were not what we were used to seeing as both courses had always had great conditions and both courses had been popular to South Sound and North Sound golfers alike. To get the courses back to the condition that our customers expected, we really needed to change the direction, improve conditions and put on the “full court press”. And that full court press included bringing in new superintendent, Phil Hancock, a new mechanic to handle the equipment needs, improvements on the irrigation system and dramatically improving the playing conditions. “We knew that Hawk’s Prairie had been historically great and we are committed to restoring that level of experience for our customers.”

Much of the conditioning problems were due to a combination of the irrigation issues, staffing challenges and last summer’s heat. It all added up to dry fairways and poor conditions. Hein said that with the management change, new equipment, improved irrigation and additional staffing, things will quickly turn around at Hawk’s Prairie. General Manager Mark Wascher and golf operations manager Kekoa Mark continue their work behind the scenes with their focus on providing a great customer service experience.

“We will get the courses back to where they need to be,” Hein said. “We’re putting more resources into the place where it needs to go and looking forward to golfers enjoying a great experience once again.”

Hawk’s Prairie also offers a Club Pass for annual play. For the month of March, the one-time fee is $75 and that gets you rounds for $28 on weekdays and $38 on weekends. The prices will go up when the golf season is in full stride but, great service, great conditions and great value will entice golfers back to Hawk’s Prairie once again.