Outdoor Activities - Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu - page 239

Makaha Resort Golf Club ★★ This challenging course—once named “The Best Golf Course
on Oahu” by Honolulu magazine—sits some 45 miles west of Honolulu, in Makaha Valley.
Designed by William Bell, the par-72, 7,091-yard course meanders toward the ocean before
turning and heading into the valley. Sheer volcanic walls tower 1,500 feet above the course,
which is surrounded by swaying palm trees and neon-bright bougainvillea; an occasional pea-
cock will even strut across the fairways. The beauty here could make it difficult to keep your
mind on the game if it weren't for the course's many challenges: 8 water hazards, 107 bunkers,
and frequent brisk winds. This course is packed on weekends, so it's best to try weekdays. Fa-
cilities include a pro shop, bag storage, and snack shop.
84-627 Makaha Valley Rd., Waianae. & 808/695-9544. www.makaharesort.net . Greens fees: $160; twilight $95 (check
for specials) Take H-1 west until it turns into Hwy. 93, which winds through the coastal towns of Nanakuli, Waianae, and
Makaha. Turn right on Makaha Valley Rd. and follow it to the fork; the course is on the left. Buses: 13 to C to PH1.
West Loch Municipal Golf Course This par-72, 6,615-yard course just 30 minutes from
Waikiki, in Ewa Beach, offers golfers a challenge at bargain rates. The difficulties on this mu-
nicipal course are water (lots of hazards), wind (constant trade winds), and narrow fairways.
To help you out, the course features a “water” driving range (with a lake) to practice your
stroke. After a few practice swings on the driving range, you'll be ready to take on this un-
usual course, designed by Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright. In addition to the driving range,
West Loch has practice greens, a pro shop, and a restaurant.
91-1126 Okupe St., Ewa Beach. & 808/675-6076. www.co.honolulu.hi.us/des/golf/westloch.htm . Greens fees: $46; twi-
light rates (after 1pm) $23; cart $20. Book 3 days in advance. Take H-1 west to the Hwy. 76 exit; stay in the left lane and
turn left at West Loch Estates, just opposite St. Francis Medical Center. To park, take 2 immediate right turns. Bus: 42 or
44.
Central Oahu
HawaiiCountryClub This public course in Wahiawa is a modest course where golfers usually
have no trouble getting a tee time. The 5,861-yard, par-71 course is not manicured like the re-
sort courses, but it does offer fair play, with relatively inexpensive greens fees. Located in the
middle of former sugar cane and pineapple fields, the greens and fairways tend to be a bit
bumpy and you have to shoot around a number of tall monkeypod and pine trees, but the
views of Pearl Harbor and Waikiki in the distance are spectacular. A few holes are challen-
ging, such as the 7th (a 252-yard, par-4), which has a lake in the middle of the fairway and
slim pickings on either side. With the wind usually blowing in your face, most golfers choose
an iron to lay up short of the water and then pitch it over for par. Facilities include a driving
range, practice greens, a club rental pro shop, and a restaurant.
98-1211 Kunia Rd., Wahiawa, HI 96786. & 808/621-5654. www.hawaiicc.com . Greens fees: $65 Mon-Fri; $75 Sat-Sun
(cart included); book on the Internet for rates at $55 Mon-Fri and $65 Sat-Sun. From Waikiki, take the H-1 freeway west
for about 20 min. Turn off at the Kunia exit (exit 5B) and follow it to the course. No bus service.
MililaniGolfClub This par-72, 6,455-yard public course is home to the Sports Shinko Rainbow
Open, where Hawaii's top professionals compete. Located between the Koolau and Waianae
mountain ranges on the Leilehua Plateau, this is one of Oahu's most scenic courses, with
views of mountains from every hole. Unfortunately, due to lots of foliage—especially of euca-