If you are digging out of snow on the East Coast or dealing with sub-zero temperatures in the Midwest, perhaps some professional golf programming in a tropical paradise would be good for your soul.
After all, the PGA Tour is back this week, with its annual year-opening stop at the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua Resort in Maui. Thirty-eight of the game’s best players — all winners last year — take on the Plantation Course from Thursday to Sunday.
The scenery (this should come as no shock) is fantastic. Rolling terrain, ocean views and dramatic elevation changes highlight this Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw course built into the side of a mountain. It leads to some of the best shot-making we’ll see all season.
The Plantation Course is even better than it was a few years ago, since Coore and Crenshaw gave it a facelift prior to the 2020 event. They re-turfed the course, rebuilt all the greens and bunkers, added tee boxes and enlarged some of the putting surfaces.
But the best part about this tropical gem? You can play it. So while you are glued to the action over the next few days (TV schedule here), just know you can knock The Plantation Course off your bucket list. It’s open to the public and ranks 40th on GOLF’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play.
The Plantation Course is $395 (plus tax) and comes with a shared cart fee. If you’re staying at Kapalua Resort the rate drops down to $365. If you wanted a cheaper option at the resort, The Bay Course at Kapalua is $235 standard or $215 for resort guests. (Click here for more info on rates.)
And if you still want more Hawaii golf in your life, worry not, the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club is next week. That club is private, though. Kapalua? It could be yours. (For more Hawaiian golf options, check out this list.)
