Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/366073
Ka'anapali, built in 1962, is the granddaddy of Maui golf. It's also the home of the Champions Skins Game. It is very playable off the tee, allowing the winds to tickle your nerves without severing them. The first hole, a par-5, is guarded by a large lake from the tee to the green. Hotels loom over the course; I wondered what it must have felt like when you could see the ocean, way back when Robert Trent Jones Sr. viewed it during the design process. The first six holes are down near the ocean; sadly only the fifth hole is on the ocean. The course starts off generous and then you enter into the hills over- looking the ocean and the vistas begin to garner your attention. The course really begins on the hills, when golf becomes second- ary to sightseeing. The Hawaii breeze keeps you cool under that tropical sun, bad shots don't seem so bad and good ones feel better. This Hawaii golf is alright. Ka'anapali brings you back down to the ocean level, losing the view, but gaining super-strong finishers with 17 and 18. The 17th is a short par- 3 with water in front, allowing for a 2 or a 5. The 18th is a solid offering of beauty and bravado, a par-4 that has seen the separation of cash from the sheep on numerous occasions, I'm sure. The convenience is hard to beat. I teed off at 8:21 and was having lunch with my family on the beach at 12:30. Efficiency at its best. My second outing was to the island of Lana'i to play the Challenge at Manele. Work was involved in teeing off at 8:30 a.m. My playing partners and I caught an early ferry, the wind in my hair, in only a golf shirt and shorts. Ferries in Hawaii are awesome. M y i n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e Challenge was a 25-mph wind in my face at the range. After hit- ting some absolute bombs that went 180 yards, I was ready to move on. As our group moved through the course a few things were evident: course conditions were perfect—greens, turf, edg- ing of bunkers. How many staff work here? It's perfect! At the same time I don't think the place pumps out 300 rounds a day, maybe 100 max, which makes for a private outing. The most outstanding feature is that every hole has a view of the ocean, from a rugged and magical coast that towers above the surf. The front nine climbs up, up and away, each hole overlook- ing the last. The front gives you grand vistas and adventure golf. I mean that—whoever's driving pay attention. It also consists of three par-3s, three par-4s and three par-5s. How much fun is that? I'm playing vacation golf—I want fun, I want excitement, and I want sunshine. The back nine descends onto the water, where the wind begins to die down. The first two holes look like the greens are set out on the Pacific, waiting for a golf ball. It's spectacular. The 12th crosses an inlet with the green sitting just over it. Come up short, consider it a sacrifice. That ball is gone forever! The holes continue with beauty and challenge, with the last three holes even more dra- matic than the ones before. A Jack Nicklaus signature course, it ends on a high note, which is really overachievement at its best. A monstrous 16th descends back onto the ocean. Number 17 is the scariest tee-shot you may ever face. With steep cliffs in front of you, a forced carry is required late in the game. The fairway follows the cliff to the right with lava rock bordering the edge. Par is a great score—huge, really! The 18th finishes with a strong par-4 parallel to the water. Breathing becomes more reliable, the climax is over, you could say your cup runneth over. I left the place wishing we could go around again, like a child asking to ride the merry-go-round, A TALE OF TWO COURSES Hawaii's Royal Ka'anapali & The Challenge at Manele THE SPECTACULAR 12TH HOLE AT THE CHALLENGE AT MANELE BAY ON LANA'I, HAWAII 04(.,*9,+0;96@(32(»(5(7(30 04(.,*9,+0;-6<9:,(:65:9,:69; Vacation golf should be a combination of adventure, a sprinkling of history, and some spectacular scenery if you're lucky, and it should be with good company. During a recent reprieve from life, I was fortunate enough to play a couple of courses in Maui, places with some serious sex appeal. The Royal Ka'anapali Course and The Challenge at Manele, located on the island of Lana'i, were my two playgrounds. However, they couldn't have been more different. A TYPICAL TROPICAL SUNSET OVER THE ROYAL KA'ANAPALI COURSE IN MAUI TRAVEL BY MARK CORRIGAN 50 INSIDE GOLF