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I visited Hawaii for the first time in early May and it included two rounds of golf on the agenda.  We had a stop in Honolulu, Oahu to do the tourist things and then spent most of our time on Maui.  While on Maui, we stayed at the Ritz Carlton ~ part of the Kapalua Golf Resort.

The nearby Kapalua Plantation Course ~ the home of the PGA Tour season opening event ~ The Sentry ~ in the past included all winners of the prior year but the event has expanded it to all the top players.

When the trip was near, I was easily able to book one of the courses, the nearby Kapalua Bay Course, but could not book the more renown Planation Course.  After allowing for the 6-hour time difference, I called reservations and found out that the Planation Course closed for seasonal work on May 7^th.  Upon learning of this issue, my wife moved up our flight time on the 6^th to 6:00 AM so we could play the course. Yes, I married very well.

Due to runway issues at the Maui airport, our 6:00 AM flight was delayed but we had plenty of time to make our 11:48 AM tee time. 

We arrived at the course about 10:00 AM and really enjoyed taking it all in. Shipsticks had delivered my clubs as promised.  Since everything needs to be flown to HI, Shipsticks to Hawaii is expensive.  $369 both ways vs. a $70 top of the line rental set.  

My wife’s new irons were being regripped and not ready, so my set was sent Shipsticks, and she rented a new Titleist set each day.  The rental set was brand new and visually looked to be unused.

After a quick onsite breakfast, we went to the driving range.  Both courses are spectacular.  Both ranges are weak.  In a pillow fight, the Bay Course range is better.  Each range is too small, and the range balls are inadequate for courses of this stature.

After a surprisingly great range session by both of us, we visited the starter.  The starter could not have been nicer. If I have been greeted more warmly by a starter, I do not remember.

He shared stories from previous Sentry Tournaments and discussed the devastating fires that took place in nearby Lahaina. 

After some pictures, I teed off.  The 1^st hole at the Planation Course is the number one handicap hole for the men.  Standing on the first tee, you have no idea why. I hit a good tee shot down the right-hand side and my wife Amy hit a huge tee shot closer to the middle of the fairway.

Upon the second shot, I realized how difficult the hole was. I hit a bullet 5 iron from the fairway and the wind pushed it to the right.  After thinking I hit a great shot, I went to the green finding my ball unplayable in the tall grass.  After taking an unplayable, I chipped in off the green for par and was excited.

The weather dramatically changed, and we played the next two holes in a monsoon.  But by the 4^th hole, all poor weather had disappeared, and we had a great rest of the round weatherwise.

If you visit the PGA Tour website, you will find that the Kapalua Plantation Course fairways are the easiest to hit on Tour.  It is upwards to 85%.  This allows for the great wind on the course.  At times, the wind was blowing 45 MPH.   It doesn’t affect your tee shots as much as your putts. I think we both handled the tee shots and approach shots well allowing for the wind.  Not so much on the putts.

We both played well and towards the early part of the back nine, there was a silence between us as we approached the signature 17^th and 18^th holes.  Amy and I have traveled a lot and have had the opportunity to play some world renown courses and there are some shots on the signature holes that we would like to have back (circa 2021 and 2022, TPC Sawgrass 17^th hole).

No such issue today.  We both blasted great tee shots on 17 and 18.  18 is a world-famous downhill par 5. 677 yards from the Tour tees, 599 yards for me.

On the 18^th tee, I encouraged Amy to aim well right.  She blasted a great tee shot that she was sure was too far right.  When we arrived at our balls, her tee shot was right in the middle of the fairway.  The right to left slope on 18 is very dramatic. 

After a great tee shot and a 5 iron, Amy had 118 yards to the pin and hit a PW.  The wind dramatically shifted, and she hit her approach over the green and chipped with 10 feet below the hole.  She hit a good putt and the wind shifted again to stop it before the hole and missed the putt for par. 

I hit driver, 3 wood and left a nice 12-footer under the pin that I missed.  With many people on the deck watching, no one more disappointed than me in my birdie miss.

After the round, we stayed on the patio for drinks and apps.  The service and food were outstanding.

The Plantation Course is not inexpensive~ about $1,100 for a twosome.

However, I would highly recommend it to avid golfers.