The 2016 LPGA LOTTE Championship presented by Hershey begins this week as it returns to beautiful Ko Olina Golf Club for the fifth consecutive year. The event will be held from April 13th – 16th, with coverage beginning on the Golf Channel on Wednesday from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. Admission tickets will be sold at the Main Gate during Tournament Week with a $10 daily admission or a week-long “Season Ticket” for $25.00. Admission will be free for spectators attending Sunday- Tuesday, April 10-12, for the Qualifying Tournament, Practice Round and Pro-Am. Children 16 and under will also be admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult and active duty and retired military service members will be admitted free with an official military ID.
Who could forget last year’s remarkably phenomenal finish as Sei Young Kim and at the time world number one Inbee Park battled out for the win? To recap, on Ko Olina’s signature and very challenging 18th hole rookie S.Y. Kim drove her tee shot into the water and followed it up by hitting her approach to the left fringe, which put her in a position where she had to hole out her chip for par to have any chance at the title. She made her greenside shot look effortless as it trickled into the hole resulting in an overall tie with Inbee Park which forced the two to a playoff as they headed back to #18 tee. Both ladies hit great drives down the middle of the fairway, and, S.Y. Kim being away managed to hit a flawless approach from 154 yards and hole out for eagle to win the 2015 LOTTE.
The Prominent 18th Hole
Hawaii’s very own Michelle Wie will also be returning after somewhat of a rough start to her 2016 season with her best finish thus far being a T25 at the Coates Golf Championship back in February. The crowd will no doubt be cheering her on this week though in hopes that she’s able to replicate her play as she did in 2014 when she bested the field with 14-under-par to win at her home course.
LOTTE SCHEDULE:
Sunday, April 10th (Free Admission)
8:00 a.m. Qualifying Tournament
1:00 p.m. Sunday Pro-Am
Monday, April 11th (Free Admission)
All Day: Professional Practice Round
4:30 p.m. HTA Ladies First Golf Clinic (Practice Range)
Tuesday, April 12th (Free Admission)
All Day: Official Pro-Am
Wednesday, April 13th
7:00 a.m. First Round
Thursday, April 14th
7:00 a.m. Second Round
Friday, April 15th
8:00 a.m. Third Round
Saturday, April 16th
8:00 a.m. Final Round
So be sure to come out and watch your favorite LPGA Player next week and while you're there don't forget to stop by Ko Olina's newly renovated clubhouse and check out all the incredible LOTTE merchandise they have to offer!
Kaneohe Bay View Golf Course, or simply referred to as, “Bay View”, is a pleasant, executive length course which offers somewhat demanding holes with impressive views. Most all the holes are well kept from tee boxes to fairways to greens, many of them with elevation changes that will challenge your club selection skills. It’s definitely a great place to go to work on that Phil Mickelson short game you’ve been dying to hone in on. The course overall has a very peaceful, serene feeling. Whether out on the course or just practicing on their multi-level practice range it gives you a nice, calming feeling…opposed to the typical standing-in-line-until-a-stall-opens type scenario that some other Oahu ranges can be subject to. The best thing is that golf at Bay View can be booked for just $45.00!
Another popular course on Oahu’s East Side is Olomana Golf Links. In my opinion this course is similar to Bay View just on a greater scale. It’s a regulation, 18 hole par 72 with a fascinating backdrop of the Ko’olau Mountains. Its challenges include a water hazard on almost every hole on the front 9, inside of which though are thousands of beautiful floating water lilies. My guess is so you’ll have something nice to look at while retrieving your water ball. So before booking for Olomana you may want to consider hitting up the practice range over at Bay View and prepare your iron game. Olomana also offers round-trip transportation to and from your Waikiki hotel, making it all the more convenient if you don’t have a rental car on island.
At this picturesque Championship Course the Pacific Ocean can be seen from every hole, and if you’re lucky enough to experience it on a clear day, you’re able to enjoy views of nearby islands Maui and Molokai. The coastline along this area of Oahu is probably one of the most favored and sought out by tourists that are visiting. This is possibly the most challenging of the three courses, with well placed bunkers and wind that is generally a factor late in the day. This course is always in excellent condition regardless of its busy play.
For more about golf on the East Side of Oahu. . .
In honor of Valentine's Day we thought to pass
on the local view of the islands to take your
special someone
Haleakala National Park in Maui.
Haleakala National Park, or the “house of the sun,” is home to endangered species, volcanic landscapes and sub-tropical rainforests filled with secluded hiking trails that lead visitors through this exotic location. Hikers can bring a picnic breakfast and hunker down for the colorful display of light that spreads across the valley. It can be chilly, sometimes below freezing, before sunrise at the top of this 10,023-foot dormant volcano, so prepare with plenty of layers. Sunscreen is also recommended if you plan to stick around for a hike through the volcanic landscape. There is no food, beverages or gasoline in the park, so be prepared. If the volcano isn’t of much interest, the coast is a beautiful spot as well.
Puu Ualakaa State Park on Oahu.
A one-mile loop trail leads to a lookout at Puu Ualakaa State Park where visitors can view southern Oahu. This spot is known for romantic sunset picnics while onlookers admire the views of Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor. Even Honolulu and Monoa Valley can be seen from this height, which sits on top of a cinder cone near downtown Honolulu.The trail leads through a wooded area, and the leisurely walk will take visitors up to the top of the hill that overlooks the city below. Let the backdrop of the forest and the bustling city be the perfect, romantic sunset location.
Kailua Kona Coast on the Big Island.
This seaside town on the coast of Kona is an ideal spot to watch the sunset. A historic fishing village, this coast is now a destination for shopping, restaurants, and those who want to get away from the bustle of life.
The Na Pali Coast of Kauai.
One of the most beautiful places in the world, the Na Pali Coast of Kauai is home to waterfalls, beautiful green mountains, and a breathtaking coastline. The pali, or cliffs, are a backdrop of rugged valleys that suddenly end once they reach the ocean. The valleys are dotted with waterfalls and streams that continue to cut into the terrain. Stone terraces where Hawaiians once lived can still be found on extensive hikes. A large state park here is made up of these beautiful landscapes for all to enjoy. Many plants that once thrived on the island are considered endangered. Because of that, there are no roads in this area.
Maniniowali Beach at Kua Bay on the Big Island.
Watch out for powerful waves in this location, but be ready to be swept away by the beautiful views of the ocean and romantic atmosphere. The drive to the beach, once only accessible by a dirt path, was paved in recent years. While it’s easier to get to, it’s still not widely known and can provide a quiet, secluded location. Sit on the lava rocks and keep an eye out for turtle and dolphin sightings, a common occurrence at this spot. Packing a picnic lunch is also a good idea. Recently installed showers and bathrooms near the parking lot make it easy to spend a few hours on the beach.
Sugar Beach on Maui.
Home to condos and resorts, Sugar Beach, also known as Kealia Beach, is said to be one of the longest beaches in Maui. You won’t find any buildings on this beach, making it a perfect spot for romance. It can be a bit windy here, though, so it’s a favorite spot for kite flying and kayakers that often push off from the shore.
for more information
Hawaii welcomes back the NFL as they have their Annual All-Star Game this Sunday, the 31st, that will be held at the Aloha Stadium. The Pro Bowl has been played in Hawaii for more than three decades, and the two teams will be drafted and captained by two hall of famers, Jerry Rice (winning 2014 Pro Bowl captain) and Michael Irvin (winning 2015 Pro Bowl captain).
The Commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell refers to Hawaii as his “Paradise in the Pacific”, so before the Pro Bowl why not sneak in a round and enjoy some of the beautiful courses our paradise has to offer?
If you are visiting the islands and looking to play some of Oahu’s finest courses at killer discounts then this is your week. We’re offering additional specials to our already remarkably low rates. Some of our best deals include: Rainforest Course Ko’olau Golf Club anytime for $99, or Twilight Special at Oahu’s highly popular Turtle Bay Fazio Golf Club and much more!
To learn more about our NFL Pro Bowl Specials this week:
Hawaii Tee Times would like to wish our local friend Michelle Wie the best of luck at the 2015 U.S. Women's Open which starts tomorrow, July 9th, at Lancaster Country Club, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania!
Michelle will be defending her title as the 2014 U.S. Women's Open winner! Good Luck Michelle from all of us at HTT!!
Michelle grew up right here in Oahu playing KoOlina, if you wish to play there too
If you're in Hawaii on our Nations Birthday we have compiled a list of firework shows for you that you could attend after that successful day of Golf!
July 3
Kauai
Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands
4 p.m. entertainment, 9:45 p.m. fireworks
Free and open to the public with photo ID
July 4
Oahu
Ala Moana Beach Park
8:30 p.m. fireworks (preview)
Tune into KSSK for the soundtrack
Kailua Beach Park
6 p.m. airshow, 8 p.m. fireworks
USS Missouri
6 p.m. picnic, 9 p.m. fireworks
admission required
Turtle Bay Resort
8:30 p.m. fireworks
Maui
Lahaina
Front St.
4 p.m. block party, 8 p.m. fireworks
Kauai
Lihue
Vidinha Soccer Field
4 p.m. entertainment, 8:35 p.m. fireworks
admission required
Big Island
Hilo Bay Blast at Bayfront
9 a.m.-9 p.m., 8 p.m. fireworks
Kailua-Kona
5:30 p.m. parade, 8 p.m. fireworks
Waikoloa Beach Resort
10 a.m.-9:30 p.m., 8 p.m. fireworks
For more information
The Champions Tour comes back to beautiful Oahu for the Pacific Links Championship.
The Pacific Links Championship will be a 3 day tournament beginning Sept 20-22. This will be the second time the event has
been played at Kapolei.
World Golf Hall of Famer Vijay Singh will make his Champions Tour debut next week at the Pacific Links Hawaii Championship at Kapolei Golf Club, tournament officials said Wednesday.
The “Big Fijian” played in 19 PGA Tour events this year, with his best finish at the Sony Open In Hawaii, where he tied for 20th.
“I am very pleased to be playing my first Champions Tour event in Hawaii at the Pacific Links Hawaii Championship,” Singh said in a statement.
Singh’s 21 years as a professional golfer have included 34 PGA Tour wins, including the 2000 Masters and the 1998 and 2004 PGA Championships.
VJ, has always been a great supporter of golf here in Hawaii. He has come back year after year for the Sony Open. VJ won the 2005 Sony Open at Waialea with a 11 under score of 269.
Next week’s tournament also features Kenny Perry, Bernhard Langer and David Frost, who are currently ranked first, second and third, respectively in the season-long Charles Schwab Cup standings, as well as Isao Aoki, Sandy Lyle, Tom Kite, Nick Price, Hale Irwin, and inaugural Pacific Links Hawaii Championship defending champion Willie Wood.
Come out and support some of the greatest golfers, the competition should be great and the course is in great condition.
Hawaii Tee Times will be out at the course over the weekend taking photos of the players.
Mahalo
Hawaii Tee Times
