Mauna Lani Resort- South Course- hole 15
Mauna Lani Resort is located on the Kohala Coast on The Big Island and is approximately 23 miles north of the Kona International Airport.
It features two wonderful resort courses.
The site was originally identified and acquired by local Francis H I'i Brown
The History of FRANCIS H I'I BROWN & Mauna Lani
Francis H I'i Brown was a territorial representative, extraordinary golfer, adventurer and sports fisherman-and he began acquiring the property in the early 1930s.
Kalahuipua'a, as the area is known, had always been considered sacred land by the Hawaiian people.
Kamehameha I, the great Hawaiian king who united the islands, was said to have had a small fishing village and canoe landing here.
When he had completed his acquisition of the land in 1936, Brown took special care to ensure that Kalahuipua'a would remain a uniquely "Hawaiian" place forever.
During the years of his stewardship, he restored ponds, built roads and retaining walls and planted many of the of palms that still stand today.
Francis Brown was a renowned and gifted athlete.
He loved boating and fishing, but his skill as a golfer was legendary.
He participated in Bing Crosby's Pebble Beach Clambake-and held the Hawaii golf course record at the Old Course at St. Andrews for many years with a 62 in a practice round prior to the 1924 British Amateur.
At one point he concurrently was the amateur champion of Hawaii, Japan and California!
He sold the property to Mauna Lani Resort in 1972.
The Original Golf Course at Mauna Lani
Mauna Lani Resort- South Course- hole 2
The original 18 hole course was opened in 1981, designed by Homer Flint and Raymond Cain.
It was a visually spectacular golf course that featured one par 3 hole crossing a wide Pacific inlet, another par 3 playing into a colosseum of lava, and many holes whose primary challenge was just to hit the verdant fairways and greens
The golf course received rave reviews from the moment it opened.
However in 1991 the resort employed architects Robin Nelson and Rod Wright to expand the 18 holes to 36, creating the North & South Courses
Mauna Lani Resort -South Course
Mauna Lani Resort- South Course is routed through rugged lava from the prehistoric Kaniku lava flow.
While it is a resort course and playable for all, it can also challenge the best.
It offers the golfer a distinctly Hawaiian experience with a combination of lava, mountain and ocean views interspersed with lakes and swaying coconut trees.
The South Course is also home to No.15, one of the most photogenic golf course holes in the world.
Mauna Lani Resort's championship South Course was the home to the Senior Skins Game from 1991- 2000, and was one of the world's most exciting televised golf matches.
Golf legends such as Raymond Floyd, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Chi Chi Rodriquez, Gary Player, Hale Irwin, and Jim Colbert attended The Skins.
The south course is the more popular of the two courses at Mauna Lani because it is the more scenic, and has a number of holes touching the ocean, while the north course travels more inland.
The course starts quietly with a number of holes framed by black lava before heading for it's first encounter with the sea at hole 7.
The black lava looks great and proves an imposing hazard.
Mauna Lani Resort- South Course- strategically placed lava
Each hole has a bit of character with nice splash bunkering, some water in play, and the ever present black lava both framing the holes and providing ‘pop up’ hazards in strategic places- tightening fairways, dominating bunkers, adding to the drama of approaches to the greens, and generally adding to the visual impact of each hole.
Hole 3 added a water carry over a lake, but it is hole 7 that is the first to really get the heart racing.
With different tees to cater for all levels of player, and the dramatic coastline on the left of the tee the challenge is to carry lava and water to hit the picturesque pear shaped green.
Mauna Lani Resort- South Course- hole 7
Stop!
Take a picture or a video with that wonderful coast as a background feature.
The rolling waves crashing over the rocks and splashing high in the air provide endless entertainment- an ideal distraction from any golfing woes.
It really is a gorgeous place to play golf.
While holes 8 & 9 are nice holes, again framed by the lava, they head back inland to the clubhouse- giving some respite from the drama on 7.
The back nine repeats the formula with some very pleasant lava golf helping us wend our way back out to the coast.
Hole 12 is a mid length par 3 with water carry and water extending down the right side of the hole.
Mauna Lani Resort- South Course- hole 12 pano
Hole 13 heads to the coast and is a short dog leg par 4 with skyline green- the iconic 15th hole is a compelling background to those who know the course.
When you have putted out take a minute to take a happy snap of the 15th hole from the 13th green, and note the spectacular ‘tiger tees’.
Fourteen is another nice lava hole, but by now you know what is coming and all your attention is on that fifteenth tee shot.
Hole 15 is one of THE dramatic holes in golf with a carry over the churning white top waves to a green sitting on the distant peninsula.
There are a number of different length tees- so choose carefully…
The back markers are 196 yards and the wind off the ocean IS a factor.
You will need to hold your nerve, choose the right club, and make a good swing!
Mauna Lani Resort- South Course- hole15 from behind the tee
Make sure you record your memories on this hole, it is a special place.
Holes 16, 17 & 18 are solid lava holes, but a bit of an anti climax after hole 15.
Overall, the South Course at Mauna Lani is a joy to play.
For those who have not played in Hawaii before, the black lava will make this a unique experience.
The course is ideal for resort golf, and played off the appropriate tee will provide a very enjoyable days golf (with some really spectacular holes thrown in).
There are no nasty tricks or surprises- the greens have nice movement without excess, and the strategic use of all hazards: lava, bunkering, water and ocean has been applied with a deft touch
If you are planning a golfing holiday on The Big Island, do not miss Mauna Lani Resort- South Course
It is an unforgettable golfing experience
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