Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
56-501 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku.
&
808/293-5842.
www.co.honolulu.hi.us/des/golf/kahuku.htm. Greens fees: $24.
Take H-1 west to H-2; follow H-2 through Wahiawa to Kamehameha Hwy. (Hwy. 99, then Hwy. 83); follow it to Kahuku.
TurtleBayResort
★
This North Shore resort is home to two of Hawaii's top golf courses. The
18-hole
ArnoldPalmerCourse
(formerly the Links at Kuilima) was designed by golf legend
Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. Turtle Bay used to be labeled a “wind tunnel”; it still is one,
though the casuarina (ironwood) trees have matured and dampened the wind somewhat. But
Palmer and Seay never meant for golfers to get off too easy; this is a challenging course. The
front 9, with rolling terrain, only a few trees, and lots of wind, play like a British Isles course.
The back 9 have narrower, tree-lined fairways and water. The course circles Punahoolapa
Marsh, a protected wetland for endangered Hawaiian waterfowl.
Another option is the
George Fazio Course
—the only one Fazio designed in Hawaii—a
par-71, 6,200-yard course. Larry Keil, a pro at Turtle Bay, says that people like the Fazio course
because it's more of a forgiving resort course, without the water hazards and bunkers of the
more challenging Palmer course. The 6th hole has two greens, so you can play the hole as a
par-3 or a par-4. The toughest hole has to be the par-3, 176-yard 2nd hole, where you tee off
across a lake with the trade winds creating a mean crosswind. The most scenic hole is the
7th, where the ocean is on your left; if you're lucky, you'll see whales cavorting in the winter
months. Facilities include a pro shop, driving range, putting and chipping green, and snack
bar. Weekdays are best for tee times.
57-049 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku.
&
808/293-8574
or 808/293-9094.
www.turtlebayresort.com
. Greens fees: Palmer
Course $175; Fazio Course $175; $110 twilight. Take H-1 west past Pearl City; when the freeway splits, take H-2 and
follow the signs to Haleiwa; at Haleiwa, take Hwy. 83 to Turtle Bay Resort. Bus: 52 or 55.
