The Nagorski Golf Course located at Fort
Shafter, Hawaii, a 9-hole, par 34 course that measures 2,837 yards from the
back tees. The course opened for play in
1925. Nested in the foothills of Fort
Shafter Valley, the course is a perfect place for the beginner to learn the
game as well as for the seasoned golfer to keep their game honed. It is still a challenge with its undulating fairways,
dramatic elevation changes, small greens and breath-taking views of downtown
Honolulu and Diamond Head.
The 9-hole
course is a Military Golf Course and is also open to the public.
WALTER JOSEPH NAGORSKI
August 4, 1917 – May 5,
1986
This golf course is named in honor of WALTER JOSEPH NAGORSKI
who served the army golf community in Hawaii for 42 years. Walter, a lifetime member of the P.G.A.,
arrived in Hawaii in 1944 as a Private First Class assigned at Scholfield
Barracks. While still in the army, he
began to apply his golf talent by providing golf instruction and assisting in
the management of the golf program.
Following his discharge and having fallen in love with the island
lifestyle, Walter remained and became the golf professional at the Fort Shafter
Golf Course. He served at Fort Shafter
for 25 years and was a friend to all golfers from private to general officer. Throughout
the years Walter gave unselfishly of his time and talent for the good of
golf. He was a consultant on the design
and construction of the Leilehua Golf Course (1946-1949). He started the first junior golf program in
Hawaii in 1947, calling it the “Ice Cream and Soda Pop” tournament. He was the driving force in getting full
recognition for Hawaii’s golf professionals in the P.G.A. (1975). He encouraged young men and women to take an
active role in the Turfgrass Association of Hawaii. He redesigned the Fort Shafter Golf Course in
the 1950’s and 1960’s, lengthening and strengthening the character of the golf
course. He Became the Ground
Superintendent of all three Army golf courses in 1972 and soon became an expert
in that field. Through sheer determination, study and pure hard work, he became
a leader in the Turfgrass field in Hawaii.
The United
States Army Support Command, Hawaii and the United States Army Western Command were
pleased to name this course in honor of WALTER J. NAGORSKI, a proven
professional, a citizen/soldier and a leader in the army and civilian community
of Hawaii.