O'ahu will see its first new private country club in more than three decades when the Hoakalei Country Club opens for business in 'Ewa Beach this week.

Billed as "O'ahu's only resort-based, private international country club," Hoakalei will feature an 18-hole championship course designed by golf professional Ernie Els, who has won three major tournament championships.

Stretching 7,400 yards on 248 acres, the par-72 course is expected to offer challenges for local and visiting golfers, with natural or man-made lakes and lagoons factoring into 12 of the holes.

Els himself is expected to be in 'Ewa Beach this week to help usher in the new course, only the second that he's designed in the United States.

A temporary clubhouse is located between the ninth and 10th holes with plans for a permanent, two-story facility in development.

Hoakalei is being developed by Haseko ('Ewa) Inc. The golf course is managed by ClubCorp USA Inc.

The partners are optimistic about opening a country club despite current economic conditions, said Sharene Saito Tam, Haseko assistant vice president.

"Despite a weak economy, demand for memberships at Hoakalei Country Club is strong," Tam said. "The opening of Hoakalei Country Club is a positive for the community as it will create 120 new jobs, stimulate interest in West O'ahu and be home to charitable events like the Els Hoakalei Cup, which will be played on April 21."

The golf course is one of the centerpieces of Haseko ('Ewa) Inc.'s Hoakalei master-planned project, which is described as a marina resort community.

Besides the golf course and a full-service marina, Hoakalei will eventually also include a hotel, resort spa, resort residences, an exclusive beach and canoe club, and a waterfront commercial district.

The first of about 2,000 Hoakalei homes, the 900-unit Ka Makana project, is already under way. The first homeowners moved in last month.

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