Greens to Grinds |
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| Maui, Hawai`i Course architects may disagree, but it’s arguable
that the definition of “signature hole” should be expanded to include the
one commonly known as “No. 19.”
True, when “Arnold Palmer” means a cold drink and the only things you’ll swing are a fork and knife, the restaurant at the golf clubhouse hardly makes a difference to your handicap. But it certainly does contribute to your overall golf experience, and if golf isn’t about enjoying yourself, then what is? This is absolutely the case on the island of Maui, where an 80-minute or so drive along some of the world’s prettiest coastline will take you past 180 resort fairways all worth playing and a number of clubhouse eateries all worth checking out. So if you’re dreaming about your next golf vacation, read on for the latest news from Maui’s golf scene, including the greens and the “grinds,” a local expression for good food. Kaanapali Resort on the west side of Maui is home to two eye-pleasing courses the Tournament North and the Resort South and an open-air restaurant, Mango Cafe. The courses are quite possibly the most Hawaiian in the state. More than a thousand mature coconut trees grace the fairways, picturesque island views abound, and sightings of indigenous birds and ulua fish are common. Kaanapali is also one of the best golf values on Maui. The nine-hole rate is: just $50 on the Resort South and $55 on the Tournament North course for tee times after 4 p.m. daily. Private individual and group lessons led by PGA instructors are also available daily. When you check in at the pro shop, be sure to pick-up the complimentary tee packet. Above the pro shop is the Mango Cafe, a casual open-air restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. The eatery lives by the motto “Serving Comfort Food Island Style,” and is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. A few miles up the coast is the world-renown Kapalua Resort, home of the PGA Tour’s season-opening Mercedes Championships. Kapalua features three must-play layouts: the Village, the Bay and the prestigious Plantation Course, a grand design that tests the best of the best. The Kapalua Golf Academy is Hawaii’s most comprehensive, state-of-the-art golf training facility. Over the past few years, Kapalua Golf has made significant enhancements to its courses. The Bay Course installed a new irrigation system and concrete cart paths. The Village Course renovated its first green and several teeing areas, and modified its landscaping to open up more picturesque views. The Plantation Course recently renovated its greens. All are great reasons to visit now. In addition to its great golf, Kapalua offers three exceptional dining venues at its clubhouses. Vino, at the Kapalua Village Clubhouse, specializes in contemporary Italian cuisine. Under the direction of celebrated chef and owner D.K. Kodama, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, with mid-day service in between. Signature items include homemade ravioli, grilled seafood sausage, and braised lamb shank. Over at the Plantation Clubhouse is the Plantation House Restaurant. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, the popular eatery offers Hawaiian Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood and island produce. Guests’ favorites include six or seven creative eggs benedicts, and a generous range of fresh island fish preparations. The Plantation House Restaurant has been honored for having the “best ambiance” for dinner, and Alex Stanislaw as Maui’s best chef. Since it opening in June 2006, Pineapple Grill at Bay Course Clubhouse in Kapalua has taken its place in the pantheon of Maui’s best fine-dining restaurants. Its menu, innovative in every detail, offers a next-generation approach to the evolving art of Pacific Island Cuisine. Its theatrical décor sets a mood of elegance, Maui-style upscale, but casual and fun while taking full advantage of its gorgeous location on the Bay Golf Course. At the helm of the kitchen is Executive Chef Joey Macadangdang,a long-time protégé of Roy Yamaguchi, Chef Joey comes directly from five years as executive chef at Roy’s Kihei. Voted "Best New Restaurant" by the readers of the Maui News and Maui No Ka Oi, Pineapple Grill and its team of professionals strive to provide quality food, service, and a memorable dining experience daily for lunch and dinner. Down on the southern end of Maui are two other exceptional golf resorts: Wailea and Makena. Wailea is one of the world’s most celebrated golf destinations, and home to three colorfully named courses: the Gold, Emerald and Blue. Each winter, the resort hosts the most legendary pros in the history of golf at the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game. The Wailea Golf Club has introduced the Wailea Golf Academy, an individualized instruction program for students of all skill levels and led by some of Hawaii's finest trained golf professionals. The Academy is based at the golf club’s outstanding 12-acre training facility, which is designed to emulate actual course conditions and help students utilize every club in their bag. Wailea’s golf clubhouses feature two distinctive restaurants. At the Wailea Blue Clubhouse, Mulligan’s on the Blue is as authentic an Irish pub as you might find out outside of Ireland. Founded by a true Irishman, Mulligan’s is a popular hangout for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with undeniably great Irish brew during cocktail hours. At Wailea’s Gold & Emerald Clubhouse, the SeaWatch Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with exceptional ocean and golf course views. Voted “Best Lunch on the Green,” “Most Romantic” and “Best Business Lunch” by the readers of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine, the SeaWatch Restaurant is also a popular venue for wedding receptions, special events and private functions. Just south of Wailea is Makena Resort, a peaceful oasis of tranquility, with one hotel and two Robert Trent Jones II courses all to itself. The Makena North climbs away from the coast, amidst thickets of native vegetation and across natural ravines. At this elevation, the course offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Mount Haleakala. The Makena South goes in the opposite direction, heading toward the sea. In 2001, the course received a multi-million dollar makeover. The Makena Clubhouse Restaurant overlooks the scenic 10th hole of the South Course, and features appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and true local-style favorites for lunch daily. Pupu (appetizers) and cocktails are served after 4 p.m. If you want to do as the locals do, try one of the mixed plate lunches offered on the menu, or the island style chicken curry stew. If your appetite for more Maui golf has just been whetted, and you’d like more information, the Maui Visitors Bureau offers a complimentary, 30-page booklet about the island’s magical golf courses and their upscale resorts, Click here to download an Adobe Acrobat PDF copy. |
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Useful Information Golf Courses Kaanapali Golf Courses: 1-866-454-GOLF (4653) or 808-661-3691, www.kaanapali-golf.com Kapalua Golf Courses: 1-877-KAPALUA or 808-669-8044, www.kapaluamaui.com Wailea Golf Club: 1-888-328-MAUI or 808-875-7450, www.waileagolf.com Makena Golf Courses: 808-879-3344 or www.makenagolf.com
Restaurants Mango Cafe: 808-667-1929 Pineapple Grill: 808-6699600 Vino: 808-661-8466 Plantation House Restaurant: 808-669-6299 Mulligan’s on the Blue: 808-874-1131 SeaWatch Restaurant: 808-875-8080 Makena Clubhouse Restaurant: 808-879-1154 |