MAUNA LANI RESORT
kohala coast, hawaii

Hawaii is one of the world’s most popular golfing destinations with dozens of stunningly beautiful courses spread across the island group. The Kohala Coast is home to the famed Mauna Lani Resort, where two award-winning courses surround the five-star Fairmont hotel and offer spectacular ocean views and the contrasting colours of green fairways surrounded by blackened lava flows. Opened in 1981, the 36-hole complex was recently called the “most breathtakingly beautiful seaside golf course in the world” by one US golf magazine. The courses have been divided into the North and South layouts, with each capturing unique characteristics of the surrounding landscape. The par-72 South Course is built on a prehistoric lava flow, which emerges beside many of the undulating fairways.

Local legend says the volcano goddess, Pele, reigns on the South Course. If she favours you, balls hit into the lava will miraculously bounce back into the fairway. If not, take a drop and a penalty and move on. Arguably the two top picks on the South layout are memorable par-3s – the 195-metre oceanside 7th and the 179-metre par-3 15th, where the tee is surrounded by blackened lava flow and your tee shot must carry across an ocean inlet to the bunker surrounded semi-island green.

The North Course has hosted several tournaments and is regarded as a tougher proposition as it climbs away from the ocean on a lava bed older than that under the beachside South Course. The rolling terrain and mesquite groves are a memorable aspect, as are the herds of feral goats that can be spotted on the course.

Read the complete review in the December 2005 issue of Golf Australia magazine. Order online at www.mymagazines.com.au

FACT FILE

LENGTH: 6,300 metres (north), 6,344 (south).
PAR: 72 (both courses).
DESIGNER: Homer Flint, Ray Cain and Robin Nelson.
GREEN FEE: US$200 including cart.
LOCATION: About 30kms, via Highway 19, from Kona International Airport.
PHONE: 0011 1 808 8852000.
WEB: www.maunalani.com
The closing four holes are scenic and, of those, the 121-metre par-3 17th is a standout. It calls for a tee shot from an elevated tee to a green that is framed by a lava amphitheatre.