Kapalua’s Plantation Course
The first PGA Tour tournament of the calendar year, the Sentry Tournament of Champions, has a lot going for it, not the least of which is the venue.
Golf fans and golfers alike love the fact that this event, which features a limited field of the previous year’s PGA Tour winners, is broadcast in primetime for much of the country. But more than that, who doesn’t love the magnificent views of the host site, the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort on the northwest shore of Maui?Â
From the get-go, whether it’s breakfast on the veranda of Kapalua’s magnificent clubhouse, or the view from the first tee, the Pacific Ocean, cliffs, pineapple fields and and hilly terrain of the course all intersect for a magnificent backdrop. All of this, of course, takes place amid perfect January temperatures, and when it’s not tournament time, the public is invited to book a stay or round at the Troon-operated Kapalua Resort.
Kapalua’s Plantation Course
Plantation Course is full of thrills
The Ben Crenshaw/Bill Coore-designed par-73 Plantation layout is carved out of the side of a mountain, which makes for great elevation change, especially on the last couple of holes. Most famous is the par-5 18th, a 677-yard hole that the pros routinely reach in two, often with an iron on the approach shot because of how extremely downhill it plays. This is where many amateurs hit their first and perhaps only 300-yard drive.
The 18th is hardly the only highlight on the Plantation Course. From the difficult first hole, a par-4 with a challenging long approach, to the course’s incredible par-3 holes, the Plantation Course is a thrill ride from start to finish. Not only do many of the holes play downhill, but, of course, many play uphill, making club selection and ball-flighting most challenging. While the pros tend to go pretty low during the Sentry TOC, it’s still pretty difficult for most amateurs, especially if the wind is blowing. The Plantation Course has a slope/rating of 144/77.
Coore and Crenshaw, as well as Troon Golf, also oversaw renovations of the Plantation Course in 2019. The work included re-grassing the fairways with Celebration Bermuda to allow the course to play fast again, like it was in 1991 when it opened. Many of the approach shots, for amateurs and pros alike, are designed to be run-up shots from well off the green. The greens were also renovated to their original size to accommodate more pin positions.
But the views here are really what makes the Plantation Course stunning. It’s not uncommon to see whales frolicking in the water, which is visible throughout much of the course. And, of course, the sunsets and sunrises are stunning.
Kapalua’s Bay Course
Kapalua Resort offers plenty of options
The Plantation Course, however, is just one of two courses at Kapalua Resort, which also includes a variety of luxury accommodations, tennis, pickleball, incredible dining, a tennis academy and a state-of-the-art golf academy designed by Hale Irwin.
The other course at Kapalua is the Bay Course, a 6,600-yard layout designed by Arnold Palmer, Francis Duane with updates by Irwin, who represented Kapalua for many years during his playing career. Opened in 1975, the Bay Course has no shortage of Pacific views either. In fact, the par-3 17th is the only hole on Maui to play directly over the ocean.Â
As for accommodations, there are several options, starting with The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. This five-star property on 54 acres has its own beach, a luxury spa, redesigned rooms and suites with ocean views, magnificent pools and cabanas and six terrific restaurants, including the Banyan Tree, which specializes in coastal cuisine.Â
Another great lodging option is the Montage Kapalua Bay. Set along Namalu Bay, this 24-acre resort property offers luxury residential-style accommodations that overlook tropic gardens and the Pacific Ocean. The Spa Montage is among the finest in the world, with its indoor and outdoor treatments, variety of therapies and wellness program. And the dining options, led by the Cane & Canoe land and sea restaurant, are top notch as well.
And finally, there is a large assortment of upscale condominiums available for rent through the Kapalua Villas Maui. The choices include spacious one- to three-bedroom units complete with washers and dryers and more great views of both the Pacific Ocean and lush tropical hillsides.
King Kamehameha Golf Club
Recommendation
While Maui offers a vast assortment of spectacular resorts and golf courses, a stay only at the Kapalua Resort would be a great golf vacation unto itself, even if you didn’t explore the rest of the island. The two golf courses have enough variety and wow factor to keep any golfer entertained for multiple rounds. Factor in that this incredible 22,000-acre property that includes exceptional dining, pristine beaches, trails, marine sanctuaries and incredible accommodations, and you can see why you would never leave.Â
Of course, Kapalua also makes for a great place to launch a Maui vacation that could also include golf at the three courses at Wailea Golf Resort (Blue, Emerald and Gold), Ka’anapali’s two courses (Kai and Royal) , the private mountainous King Kamehameha Golf Club (which has limited public and resort play) or several other great courses on the island.
Depending on your wishes, the best way to plan a golf vacation would be to book a golf package that can set you up with multiple rounds of golf at Kapalua or beyond and accommodations at Kapalua.