Journal Entry #10
Wednesday, July 2, 2003
by: John K. Darling
I started my trip to golf courses in Maui last week by visiting Gary Planos, Vice President/Resort Operations who is officed at the Kapalua Plantation Golf Club. I presented the UCCS PGA/PGM program, and he referred me to Marty Keiter, PGA Director of Golf for the three Kapalua courses. Both Gary and Marty were very gracious and receptive. While I was there, I had the opportunity to play the Village Course. Be sure to check out my review at Course Review. The third course at Kapalua is the Bay Course. When you make your trip to Maui, go take a look at all three courses as well as the Golf Academy. www.kapaluamaui.com www.kapaluagolfacademy.com.
MY GOLFING PARTNERS,
MIKE LADUE AND BRUCE HOGAN, AT THE VILLAGE AT KAPALUA
Friday I stopped by the Elleair Golf Club in Kihei where I met Sherrie Golden, LPGA Director of Golf. Again, a very pleasant and receptive experience for not only the UCCS PGA/PGM program (if you don't know what this is, go to the SFG achieves) but SeniorFriendlyGolf.com as well. I returned yesterday to play the course which is located near where we are staying at Kamaole Nalu www.kamaolenalu.com. Check out my experience at Elleair coming soon in the SFG COURSE REVIEW section. To learn more about the Elleair Maui Golf Club: www.elleairmau.com.
MY GOLFING PARTNERS, SCOTT AND LANCE GIMBAL, AT THE ELLIAIR GOLF CLUB
Saturday I took a break from Golf and we took a snorkeling trip to Molokini, Turtle Town, and Jerry Garcia's sunken boat. Don Burns is the captain of the Seafire Snorkeling Adventures boat. He's an ex-Coast Guardsman who has gone commercial with his own boat. This is his first year and the trip to Garcia's site was a little extra thrown in. Marilynn and I have been on several excursions like this one and her remark about this trip was simply "it's like being out with a friend." There were no commercial Disneyland type spiels. Just lots of fun and activity. www.molokinisnorkeling.com. Earlier on this trip we were sucked into a "Time Share" deal, which we did not attend after all. Just a suggestion. When in Maui just call Sandi and have her search for the best values. (888)875-9366 www.mauiconcierge.net.
Sunday we drove over to the Iao State Park. We had been there years before but never returned until now because the Iao Needle is usually covered with clouds. The Iao Needle is where warriors use to stand lookout a hundred years ago. This time the clouds were missing. There is also a cultural park nearby where Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese immigrants are memorialized.
THE IAO NEEDLE
Monday we hit the highway to Hana. An all day affair, but well worth the time. The highway is now well paved. No potholes and problems we experienced 20 or so years ago when making our first trip there. The bottom line is that the road to Hana with stops along the way puts one in the middle of the thick and awesome jungle on the east side of the island. The only negative was that we had bought a cassette audio guide for $13 that turned out to be inaccurate and full of commercials with very amateurish songs and commentary.
A HUGE STAND OF BAMBOO AT THE KEANAE ARBORETUM ON HANA ROAD
On our way back from Hana we stopped off at the Maui Country Club to meet their Head Professional, Brad Bowen, PGA. He was out in a match play tournament, so we missed him. However, Bruce, in the pro-shop was a delightful person to meet, and he will be passing on the UCCS/PGA and SeniorFriendlyGolf.com information to Brad. By the way, the Maui Country Club is open for public play on Mondays. (888) 877-0616
Tuesday night we visited the "Mulligan's on the Blue" restaurant, which is located at the clubhouse of the Wailea Blue Golf Course. We enjoyed dining there last year when it first opened. This Irish pub is in its second year and the food is great and the prices right. Rack of lamb for only $18.00. That's about $10 less than anywhere else in the area. The name of the restaurant, Mulligan's, is in memory of one of the owner's brothers who was a policeman sacrificed on 9/11 in New York City. www.mulligansontheblue.com.
My next golf stop, and my final one here in Hawaii, will be the Waiehu Municipal Golf Course. I have played it before, and it is a well-kept secret to most visiting golfers. Be sure to read my review for this course as well in Course Reviews. I am looking forward to meeting Arthur Rego, who is the Golf Club Manager and runs the Maui Junior Golf program here on the island. Maybe one of those aspiring kids might like to enroll in the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Professional Golf Association/Professional Golf Management program in the future. Now you know what UCCS PGA/PGM is, but check it out anyway in the "Archives." You may know a sharp young junior in high school would like to entertain a career in golf.
Let me hear from you. Send all comments, stories, jokes, and interesting golfing happenings to john@SeniorFriendlyGolf.com