Mauna Lani Resort Sponsorship with Dean Wilson

Kohala Coast, Hawaii, January 12, 2009 – Mauna Lani Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii announces that Dean Wilson, PGA Tour Professional, will represent the resort on tour beginning with the 2009 season. 

Wilson will kick off his 2009 season and new relationship with Mauna Lani at the Sony Open in Hawaii starting on January 12.  Wilson is a seven year veteran of the PGA Tour with 25 top ten finishes including his win in 2006 at the International.  In 2008, he appeared 32 times on tour with two top three finishes and over $1.3 million in earnings, placing him at 39^th in the FedEx Cup standings. 

“Dean is the perfect representative for the Mauna Lani Resort” states Hisashi Konno, President - Mauna Lani Resort, “He exemplifies all that the resort represents and aspires to be.  We are proud to have him as part of our team and look forward to our future mutual success.

Wilson was born and raised in Hawaii, played on the Asian and Japan tours and has found success on the PGA Tour.  He now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada while on tour and looks forward to visiting Hawaii in the off season.

According to WIlson, “It is an honor to be associated with Mauna Lani Resort.  They are one of the golf meccas of the world and have a strong history and association with the game, having hosted the Senior Skins for ten years.  I am looking forward to helping to spread the word about this special resort.”

Mauna Lani Resort features two championship golf courses, the Francis H. I’i Brown North and South, with challenging experiences for novice and professional golfers alike.  The North and South are masterpieces of design, each strikingly different, yet equally challenging, with both placed firmly among the world’s finest golfing meccas.  The North and South courses are stunning examples of what environmentally-sensitive golf course architecture can achieve.  Nelson & Haworth ensured the thoughtful preservation of the numerous archeological sites throughout the courses – trails, fishponds and ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs.

The recipient of a Gold Medal Award from Golf magazine every year since the inception of the award in 1988, Mauna Lani also played host to the nationally televised Senior Skins Game golf tournament from 1990-2000.  Mauna Lani Resort was also rated one of the “Top Ten Green Resorts” by Golf magazine for 2008-2009. 

For tee time reservations or additional Mauna Lani golf information call 808-885-6655 or visit .

About Mauna Lani Resort

Mauna Lani Resort sits oceanfront on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Located 23 miles north of the Kona International Airport, this uniquely Hawaiian luxury resort features the award-winning Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Mauna Lani Spa and the Francis H. I‘i Brown Golf Courses. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows is recognized as one of the “World’s Top Luxury, Eco-friendly Getaways” by Conde Nast Traveler and is featured on the ‘2009 Gold List.’  For  reservations call 800-367-2323 or visit www.maunalani.com.