The first session of Kapalua Keiki Academy will run from Nov. 2 to Dec. 7.

KAPALUA – The Kapalua Keiki Academy is a new junior program at Kapalua Golf Academy. The first session will run for six weeks from Nov. 2 to Dec. 7, with future sessions to follow the holidays.

The basis for the Kapalua Keiki Academy are skills tests. The skills tests are performed on a timeline to measure the student’s progress. If a student does not pass a particular skills test, they will be given a more defined area to improve the desired skill.

This format will allow time for students to work on areas that need improvement, as well as experience life skills such as goal setting and mental preparation.

The program will be run by Chris Armanini, PGA. He is the junior development leader at Kapalua Golf Academy and has been a PGA Professional at Kapalua Golf for the past two years.

Armanini holds many certifications, including U.S. Kids Certified Coach, PGA Coach, PGA Junior League and TPI Junior Development.

The Kapalua Keiki Academy will become harder and more challenging with each new skill the junior golfer successfully achieves.

Each student must pass putting (short, medium, long), around the green (chipping, pitching, sand), full swing (irons, driver), knowledge (rules, etiquette, equipment, sportsmanship), and scoring requirements.

Each level comes with a booklet (Player Pathway) that highlights the key points of instruction that will be covered and the skills needed to be completed to advance to the next level.

Test days will gauge the junior golfers’ progression, and as each junior golfer passes the skills, they will be awarded a pin.

The Fall Session runs Nov. 2 to Dec. 7 (Saturdays); Nov. 16 and Dec. 7 are test days. The cost is $150 per six-week session, and $30 for Level Player Pathway booklet/hat.

The schedule is: Level 1 11 to 11:45 a.m.; Level 2 12 to 12:45 p.m.; Level 3 1 to 1:45 p.m.; Level 4 2 to 2:45 p.m.; Level 5 3 to 3:45 p.m.; and Level 6-10, to be determined.

Walking the Bay Course may be available after 4 p.m. on a space available basis.

For the Pilot Program, everyone is starting at Level 1, but groups will be determined by like skill set, age and gender.

For more information on this program, contact Kapalua Golf Courses at (808) 662-7740 or visit golfatkapalua.com/junior_golf/.

In related news, general parking for the 2020 Sentry Tournament of Champions will be in a new location when the event returns to The Plantation Course at Kapalua from Jan. 1-5. General parking will be located at Mahana Estates, just a five-minute shuttle ride to the course.

General parking is available Wednesday, Jan. 1, through Sunday, Jan. 5, at Mahana Estates for $10 per day. Spectators will pay upon arrival to the general parking lot, where both cash and credit card are accepted. Free tournament shuttles will be provided to The Plantation Course at Kapalua and will drop off/pick up at the Main Entrance. The shuttles begin running one hour before gates open and will stop running 30 minutes after gates close.

Tournament parking will no longer be available at Lahaina Civic Center.

“Fan transportation is an important aspect of this event, and we are always looking for ways to improve the process for our fans traveling to and from The Plantation Course at Kapalua,” said Alex Urban, executive director of the Sentry Tournament of Champions. “With the new general parking location this year just a short shuttle ride to the course, fans have additional flexibility when planning their day at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.”

The designated Uber/cab drop-off is located on Village Road at the Kapalua Village Center. Spectators will be shuttled to the course and dropped off at the Putting Green Entrance.

Riders will get back on the shuttles to the Kapalua Village Center at the Putting Green Entrance to leave the course.

There is no parking allowed at the Kapalua Village Center.