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Perhaps no other destination affords the opportunity for a rewarding golf vacation in a spectacular setting quite like Hawaii. Consider this: Nearly 90 golf courses can be found on the four major Hawaiian islands (Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii's Big Island), ranging from award-winning resort and public courses to municipal layouts and private clubs. Oahu has added several challenging golf courses in the last few years, many created in the valleys of forested mountain ranges. Resort courses with stunning ocean views dot Kauai and Maui, while the Big Island offers layouts with unusual features such as volcanic rocks as fairway obstacles. The last 10 years not only brought rapid-fire construction of challenging courses, but also impeccable renovations of classic layouts by renowned golf architects such as Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr., Ted Robinson and Robin Nelson, as well as brand-name player-architects such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman. Perched on coastal bluffs, tucked into forested hills, sculptured from volcanic lava flows and set on ancient sand dunes, these championship-caliber courses represent every golfer's dream. In fact, the breathtaking views present their own challenges to golfers who find their minds wandering into the gorgeous scenery. In addition to the significant renovations many established courses have undergone to enhance the overall golf experience, several classic resorts have been upgraded in recent years to become world-class accommodations. And new hotel, resort and timeshare construction means that accommodations ranging from five-star luxury resorts to elegant but more moderately priced hotels to family-friendly condo villages and bed-and-breakfast inns can be found in abundance near great golf courses. Of course, nature provides the most satisfying entertainment, given Hawaii's temperate weather, lush foliage and amazing topography. Where else can you surf and snorkel at a white sand beach, hike in a tropical rainforest, walk on an ancient lava field and take in the sunset while gliding in a catamaran - all in one day? And taking the family with you on this perfect excuse for a golf junket means never having to hear a plaintive "I'm bored." So, are your clubs packed yet? OAHU Turtle Bay Resort The resort's Arnold Palmer course serves as host of the Turtle Bay Championship on the Champions Tour through 2008. Swing to your heart's content over a three-night stay on the Palmer course or on George Fazio's championship 18-hole layout when you book the Unlimited Golf Challenge package. www.turtlebayresort.com. JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa Golf packages at the adjacent Ko Olina Golf Club start at a minimum two-night stay. The Ted Robinson-designed course is the former site of the LPGA Hawaiian Ladies' Open. When golf's not calling you, heed the siren's call at one of the resort's four picturesque lagoons and take part in the Reef and Ray Adventure, an interactive marine life program. www.ihilani.com. Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki and Golf Club Play 27 holes of interchangeable nines as much as you'd like as part of the Prince's Unlimited Golf Package, which offers rounds at the Hawaii Prince Golf Club for two players daily, an oceanfront marina room and daily buffet breakfast for two. The Arnold Palmer-Ed Seay classic design challenges with water as its dominant feature. www.princeresortshawaii.com. Halekulani Once a private, beachfront estate, the Halekulani is the epitome of a sophisticated five-star resort hotel, but is blessed with a gracious aloha spirit, along with views of Diamond-head. This year marked its first golf packages with preferred partners Kapolei Golf Course, Ko Olina Golf Club, Luana Hills and Koolau Golf Course. Golfers may sign pro shop purchases and clubhouse dining to their hotel room accounts. www.halekulani.com. The Kahala Hotel and Resort Got fin? Then take a dip with any of the six Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins at the super-upscale Kahala's 26,000-square-foot natural lagoon. Got game? Head to nearby Luana Hills Golf & Country Club, where former President Bill Clinton has teed it up (and no doubt taken a couple of mulligans). Kahala offers a $200 credit as part of its Activities Package that can go toward a dolphin encounter or a round on the Dye Design golf course. kahalaresort.com. Coral Creek Golf Course Tune up your game with the special instructional programs and extensive practice facilities offered at the 18-hole championship course at Ewa Beach. The complex features 40 hitting stations, large putting areas and a variety of chipping greens and practice bunkers. www.coralcreekgolfhawaii.com. MAUI Kahili Golf Course No adjacent hotel, but the newly renovated and renamed course (formerly Sandalwood Golf Course) is worth checking out. Set on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains, Kahili offers improved conditions and enhanced playability with new TifEagle greens, white-sand bunkers and a kicked-up-a-notch, dramatic finishing hole. www.kahiligolf.com. Grand Wailea This terrific destination resort is a hit with families, honeymooners and conference attendees alike. Although it doesn't offer any special golf packages, it's close to both 54-hole Wailea Golf Club (home of the Wendy's Champions Skins Game) and 36-hole Makena Golf Course. Robert Trent Jones Jr. has the architectural honors here, except for Wailea's original Blue Course, which was designed by architect Arthur Jack Snyder. www.grandwailea.com. Maui Prince Hotel The choice resort for those who enjoy a vacation retreat in a secluded sanctuary - all the better to experience zen golf at nearby Makena Golf Course. The Unlimited Golf Package requires a two-night stay. www.princeresortshawaii.com. Fairmont Kea Lani Choose between a one-bedroom suite or a spacious villa as part of the Wailea Golf Package for two. A five-night stay is required, but that gives you just enough time to enjoy the three championship courses at Wailea Golf Club, along with its 12-acre training facility. www.fairmont.com/kealani. Kaanapali Beach Hotel Kaanapali was the playground for members of Maui's royal family. How apropos, then, that the party would continue with a 19th Hole Package that includes welcome cocktails for two. The package offers unlimited golf for two with a three-night stay. You can soon enjoy the reopening of the Tournament North Course, which was closed for a renovation designed by architect Robin Nelson. Look for the North Course to feature greens of Tifeagle Bermuda, prized for ensuring "quick and true" surfaces, according to Kaanapali general manager Ed Kageyama. Nelson's renovation of the Resort Course was completed in fall 2005. www.kaanapali-golf.com. www.kbhmaui.com. The Dunes at Maui Lani This is a must experience wherever you're staying in Maui. Designed by Robin Nelson in tribute to the great links courses of the British Isles, The Dunes ranks in the top five of almost every major golf publication's short list of best courses in the country. The facilities are impeccable, with a golf school, full-service locker room, 250-guest banquet room, lounge and bar. www.dunesatmauilani.com. The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua This premier golf resort is surrounded by three courses and a historic pineapple plantation - all overlooking the ocean. So much golf, so little time. So take advantage of the many golf packages offered, including the Kapalua Golf Academy Package. With a four-night stay, you get three days of instruction for one player (a half-day of instruction for two with an overnight stay). The Golf in Paradise Package gives one round daily for two players at one of three championship courses: Plantation, Bay and Village. Sign up for a "caddie concierge" and shave more strokes off your scorecard. www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/kapalua. KAUAI HILTON Kauai Beach Hotel and Resort The Par 3 Hawaii Beach Vacation Package ranks among the sweetest stay-and-play deals on the island with the inclusion of a round each at Poipu Bay Golf Course, Kauai Lagoons' Kiele Course and Princeville's Prince course. For the required three-night minimum stay, you can tee it up on the south, east and north shores of the island. The hotel even throws in a mid-size rental car to make it easier to lug your clubs - how sweet is that? Better hurry, though. The package is available only through December 22. www.kauaibeachhotelandresort.com. Kauai Golf Challenge Let's say you ain't got no stinking hotel reservations that'll buy you a discounted round. Well, you don't need one with this special offer that's good through December 31. Poipu Bay Golf Course, Kiele at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club and the Prince Course at Princeville have banded together to offer one round at each course, green fees, cart and use of the range and other amenities for $390 per person. www. poipubaygolf.com, or www.Princeville.com. Princeville Resort Jaw-dropping views from the cliffs overlooking Hanalei Bay and Bali Hai Beach lend truth to the resort's advertising slogan: "Magnificent by Nature." The m-word also describes its two golf courses, the Prince and Makai, a combined 45 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The Prince and Princeville consistently make top-15 lists for best resort and best public-access course. But then you knew that. And the resort offers awesome stay-and-play packages. The "Tease for Two" lets one person play a round of golf while the second person enjoys a massage at the resort's luxury spa and health club. The Multi-Day Golf Packages are perfect for golfers who want to play the Prince and Makai several times (three rounds in five days, five rounds in seven days or seven rounds in 10 days). Ah, it's good to be king at the Princeville. www.Princeville.com. Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation Stretch out in low-rise, wooden, one- and two-bedroom condominium walk-up suites that recall Hawaii's 19th-century plantation past. After lollygagging under shady monkey pod trees and snorkeling at sunny Poipu Beach, hit the recently renovated Kiahuna Golf Club, another Robert Trent Jones Jr. gem. Or golf first, chill second - it's all good when you're on aloha time. www.outrigger.com/hotels_detail.aspx?hotel=22. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa A literal heaven on earth sums up the vibe at this lush playground which features lagoons, white-sand beaches, forested hills, exotic gardens and the remains of ancient stone walls and Hawaiian heiau (places of worship) in the coves around Poipu Bay. Next door is the Poipu Bay Golf Course, the Robert Trent Jones Jr. links-style design on 210 acres where the PGA Grand Slam of Golf has teed up for the past 12 years. Hey, if the pros can focus on making birdies while perched on an emerald-green, rolling plateau eight stories above the sparkling Pacific, you can, too. The golf course offers prepaid and multiple-round discounts, plus additional discounts and stay-and-play packages through the Grand Hyatt. www.kauai.hyatt.com. www.poipubaygolf.com. Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club A debut stay-and-play package includes a round at either the Mokihana or Kiele courses at the Kauai Lagoons Golf Club. Jack Nicklaus' Kiele ranks as an outstanding and challenging layout, while Mokihana is considered one of the most playable courses in the country. Bonus features: Shake the hand of The Golden Bear at Kiele (well, actually, it's a white-marble statue of a bear) and take in stunning views of Mt. Waialeale, the extinct volcano that birthed the island of Kauai. www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/LIHHI. www.kauailagoonsgolf.com/courses/kiele. THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII The Fairmont Orchid at Mauna Lani The Fairways at Mauna Lani is a new Outrigger townhome community nestled between the fourth and 12th fairways of the Francis Brown North Course. The two- and three-bedroom townhomes offer living and dining areas as well as kitchens. The adjacent 36-hole Francis H. I'i Brown Golf Courses were home to the Senior Skins Game from 1990-2000. www.fairmont.com/orchid. www.outrigger.com/hotels_detail.aspx?hotel=98. Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel Spectacular views of the Kohala Coast greet players on the Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay-designed Hapuna Golf Course, which is within walking distance of the hotel. Take in the snow-capped Mauna Kea volcano. The golf package offers a view-terrace room, unlimited golf and daily breakfast for two. The deal extends to the neighboring Mauna Kea Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The unlimited golf package at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel gives you a mountain-view room. www.princeresortshawaii.com. Mauna LaNi Resort Special packages combine a luxurious vacation with competitive golf tournaments. The Mauni Lani Couples Tournament in late summer gives golfing couples the opportunity to test their skills against fellow like-minded guests staying at the resort's 343-room hotel. www.maunalani.com. |
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