Infectiously Energetic With Kellie Hines
Crowning Achievement – Ocean Course’s Kellie Hines receives prestigious Aloha Section PGA award
In a celebration of dedication and excellence, Kellie Hines, the PGA Director of Golf Instruction at the Ocean Course at Hokuala, has been awarded the coveted Player Development/President’s Plaque by the Aloha Section PGA.
The prestigious award acknowledges a PGA Professional’s exceptional contributions in player development, focusing on their leadership in growing the game and the impact made at their facility.
“To get recognized was a surprise and something I deeply appreciate,” said Hines, who was born and raised on Kauai. “Professionally, it made a significant impact on me, highlighting the incredible support I’ve received from the golfing community and especially from the team at Hokuala.”
Hines was honored at the Aloha Section PGA Hoʻolaulea award ceremony in February, a moment made even more memorable with her daughter and close friends in attendance.
Central to Hines’ success has been her role in leading the Operation 36 program, which she embarked on three years ago at the encouragement of the Troon’s Regional Operations Manager, Melissa Dupuis.
Operation 36 is a structured learning experience designed to take beginners and transition them into successful golfers by having them shoot par (36) or better for 9 holes in a fun and progressive manner.
Under Hines’ leadership, the program at the Ocean Course has grown from an initial 14 students to over 200. Her efforts have fostered a dynamic, familial atmosphere, and have propelled the program to a No. 1 worldwide ranking for participation in January and March of 2024, and second-place in February.
One of the few female golf professionals in the Aloha Section PGA, Hines attributes the success of the Operation 36 program to the tight-knit community and lifelong friendships that have formed, effective word-of-mouth, and the collective effort of the Hokuala team, from the golf maintenance crew to the administrative staff.
“Everybody has contributed in making Operation 36 a successful program,” Hines said. “And the Operation 36 curriculum has helped me become a better golf coach.”
There are six to eight Operation 36 sessions throughout the year, Hines said, and during the six-week program, participants play in nine-hole events and learn 12 skills.
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