Playing Kapalua for the first tme

I just had the chance to play Kapalua, Hawaii.. Weather is beautiful, mountains in the background with clouds pouring over them, the ocean is beautiful. What a view! I have been invited to this event for the last few years and never indulged until now, what a mistake. I am a partner in my company and its my first real time of playing hooky in 19 years, I am not sure if I feel guilty or upset, I did not do this sooner.  I am fitness and golf nut, but have only played rather local to me sending others all over. I actually had to introduce myself to people and thought I was new with the company - go figure. My son knows everyone, and the islands very well, another go figure - this my and my wife's first time here and the first time I have traveled since being in the service. Short of the time change which is significant we watched the moon come up and then the sun rise, had breakfast on the beach and are in awe of the raw beauty out here. Well enough of that.

Course is outstanding, tight, lots of rolling courses. This a scramble and as a group we shot -10. I have not had to work with caddies on too many courses so this is different.  BTW no laser or GPS, or carts for this tournament which as serious a tournament as it is a fund raiser.  Play it as it lies, course rules judges, very serious golf out here. Amazingly, we have not put any shots in the lava rock or ocean or actually hazard of any kind. I am surprised by the few palm trees, all the tall pines, and really dense brush with incredible dense rough.  Keeping it in play, and shot shaping is the name of the game out here. Using mostly three woods for control in first round since I have never seen the course before.

I have used the SandTrap blogs on equipment for some time and appreciate the suggestions.  I am playing Titleist AP1 irons, Callaway FT9 neutral 8.5 Stiff flex driver, Cleveland Ultra Lite strong three wood, Cleveland 21 degree Mashie and wedges with Odessey putter. My son had my clubs gripped with the neon blue and yellow golf pride grips. Quite a nice feel, but rather distracting on the first use.  Finally, I am using the Wilson Duo ball at the suggestion of several persons from the SandTrap. Actually, it may be me, but I find the ball a bit hard to fade or draw in comparison to my standard Callaway Hex, but I will trek on.   I felt very bad for the caddy and emptied the bag quite a bit so I only have the Wilson Duo available for this round.

Quite fun however.  Not the place to use a new putter either, quite treacherous putting and very fast greens. Well new day another round (8:48am now) and we go off at 9:10am.. Tonight our first luau. I am a very bland eater so this should interesting.

Regards

Did you play the Plantation or the Bay course?  I played the Bay back in late November.  Definitely the most beautiful course I've ever played, especially holes 3-5 (or 4-6, i forget, but it's the set of holes right along the cliffs with the 5th being almost all carry over the ocean).

If you have more time, I thought the Kaanapali courses were pretty fun too.

Hello, we are playing the Bay course..  Today I took in some more sites as this was match play and a slower pace. It must be the blue of the ocean, that makes all the colors more vibrant.. I sound gushy, and I am not, but its stunning.  We play Kaanapali next week, then some site seeing and then back to work. We will come back in two years when this event returns to Hawaii.

Regards

Pictures ???

No way to send at this time..