The PGA Tour continues in the Aloha State this week when the Sony Open tees off at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu on Thursday. Here’s everything that you need to know about Waialae, which has played host to the event since its inception in 1965.
The course origin: Waialae was designed by Seth Raynor and opened for business in 1927. The course’s development was part of an overall effort to expand and grow the tourism industry in Hawaii when it was still a U.S. territory. Desmond Muirhead led Waialae’s 1992 redesign. The course has hosted the Sony Open since its inception 54 years ago. Back then it was called the Hawaiian Open.
The course design: The course plays 7,020 yards from the championship tees, 6,456 yards from the member tees, and 5,962 yards from the forward tees. It features four par-3’s and two par-5’s. It also boasts wide fairways and more than 80 bunkers. With right- and left-doglegs, it’s built to challenge a low handicap player while remaining playable for the high handicapper. Greens and fairways are Bermuda grass. And if you play a round at Waialae, you’ll be treated to some fantastic scenery: the course is located alongside the Pacific Ocean and is lined with coconut, monkey pod, and kiawe trees.
Most notable hole: Waialae has two famous holes: The par-4 10th, which runs 480 yards, is actually played as the first hole at the Sony Open. The hole was designed after the famous Road Hole at St. Andrews in Scotland. And the par-3 8th is the course’s most scenic spot. Stretching 194 yards, the Sony Open’s 17th tee sits hard against the Pacific.
The course amenities: Along with its championship course, Waialae offers plenty of club amenities for members and guests. It features a 250-yard driving range, chipping and putting greens, full professional instruction opportunities, and a snack bar to hit up before or after your round.
