Hawaii's first humpback whale of the fall and winter season has been spotted off Kauai, Hawaii.
Humpback whales are an endangered species, but their numbers have steadily grown in Hawaii waters since the international community banned commercial whaling nearly 50 years ago.
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary said Wednesday the ocean tour company charter spotted the whale earlier this week one mile off Kekaha Sugar Mill on Kauai's west side.
Hawaii's humpback whales spend summers feeding off the shores of Alaska. They return to mate and give birth each winter season, which usually lasts from November through May.
The sanctuary says federal regulations prohibit approaching within 100 yards of whales when on the water. People operating aircraft may not approach the whales within 1,000 feet.
Why not play golf at the wonderful Poipu Bay Golf course in Kauai Hawaii and see if you can spot some more Humpback whales as you enjoy the magnificent holes 15, 16 and 17 which run with the ocean down the left hand side.
If you are staying in Maui, there is a magnificent golf course that you might miss because it is on the neighboring island of Lana'i. Lana'i is easily accessible though a great 50 min ferry ride, leaving from Lahaina Harbor in West Maui and if you go in the winter months, you can also save money on a whale watching tour as you are sure to see many whales as you make this picturesque short journey.
The Challenge at Manele golf course, carved out of the rugged coast sprawls across ancient lava fields, with 180-degree ocean panoramas from every hole. Red cliffs plunging down to blue sea, green fairways engulfing white sand traps, and blossoms from fissures in the black lava rock. This was the palette of designer Jack Nicklaus, who shaped the 7,039–yard, par 72 championship course, carefully protecting and preserving the archaeological ruins within its borders.
The spectacular natural setting of The Challenge at Manele guarantees an unforgettable round for every golfer who plays here. Perched atop 200-foot cliffs, the course offers dramatic views of the ocean from all 18 holes. Lush, green fairways are bordered by black lava outcroppings, reminders of the ancient origins of Lana'i. Teeing off from the cliffs at Hulopoe Bay with the Pacific surging below, you face perhaps the world's most unforgiving water hazard. The twelfth hole is nothing short of a leap of faith, with 200 yards of churning waves to cross.
Other holes demand shots over yawning ravines. Fortunately, the five-tee concept - with courses of shorter yardage mapped in red, white, blue, gold and "Nicklaus" - allows golfers of all levels to emerge unscathed.
Book through Hawaiiteetimes.com this wonderful 18 holes, par 72, 7039 yards. All prices per person and include golf cart, round-trip ferry service from Maui, and ground transportation to and from course.
Ferry's depart at 6:45 am or 9:15 am, and return at 2:00pm, 4:30 pm or 6:45 pm - Do not miss one of the best golf courses on the Hawaiian Islands.
Here is a list of Three of the "Must Play" golf courses on the Hawaiian Island Of Kauai. Hawaii is full of fantastic golf courses but here is a list of three of the most famous, renowned and unique golf clubs that everybody should play while visiting Kauai, Hawaii. Hawaii Golf clubs are listed in alphabetical order.
It is said that when legendary golfer and architect Jack Nicklaus created the original Kiele Course in the late 1980's, the terrain lent itself so well to his vision that he made but a single change to his original design. In 2011, Jack Nicklaus was again called upon. This time to redesign the back nine of his famed Kiele course. Included are all new greens, new white silica sand bunkers, and three new holes. One is a new ocean hole that is now the centerpiece of what is the longest stretch of continuous ocean holes of any course in Hawaii. Four fabulous holes providing over 1/2 mile of unobstructed oceanfront. Kauai Lagoons is a lush, 750-acre resort carefully secluded in the southwest corner of the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Fairways weave through mango and guava tree forests, along imposing ocean cliffs and over promontories high above the harbor, and among some forty acres of fresh water lagoons that wind their way throughout the resort.
This links style layout designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. can play over 7,000 yards long. The ocean comes into play on holes 15-17, a beautiful venue for golfers of all abilities. A unique and unforgettable golf experience awaits you at beautiful Poipu Bay Resort. This outstanding course is backed by lush emerald mountains and sculpted from a rolling plateau eight stories above the Pacific Ocean. Nestled among the gentle contours of Poipu Bay you’ll discover the remains of Hawaiian heiau (places of worship) and ancient stone walls. If this weren't challenge enough, Mother Nature presents you with one distraction after another. This golf course is breathtaking but don't let your mind wander to the beautiful ocean views and beach vistas or this undulating golf course will eat you alive. Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course was the home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 – 2006. The course has won numerous awards and has been consistently rated among the top golf courses in Hawaii and the U.S.
The 7,223 yard par 72 Makai Course’s signature holes include the challenging Par 3 Hole 3, the tee is about 100 feet above a protected green below with a lake fronting the green. Other signature holes include 7, 13 and 18. Scenic views of towering mountains, the sight of Bali Hai and Hanalei Bay and looking down at breaking surf below the cliffs will provide an overall experience you’ll never forget. The Makai Golf Course at Princeville re-opened in January 2010 after a multi-million renovation that reconfigured the greens from two 9 hole courses into one beautiful 18 hole course. Bunkers were reshaped with new ones added, two new large practice tees and a new expanded practice putting green were created and the grass on the tees was changed to Seashore Paspalum, a drought resistant grass that is so smooth it almost looks like a carpet, a very fine one at that.
Here is a list of Three of the "Must Play" golf courses on the Hawaiian Island of Big Island. Hawaii is full of fantastic golf courses but here is a list of three of the most famous, renowned and unique golf clubs that everybody should play while visiting the Big Island, Hawaii. Hawaii golf clubs are listed in alphabetical order.
Created by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the 18-hole championship course presents dramatic changes in elevation, large undulating greens, and 120 well-placed bunkers. The multi-award winning Golf Course at Mauna Kea has since 1964, led the way in standards of course beauty and design, solidifying its place in Hawaii's history as one of the most scenic and favored golf courses. With incredible panoramic views of sea and land, featuring snow-capped Mauna Kea, rugged lava beds, and the sparkling blue Pacific. The spectacular signature hole is the famous Third Hole - where surging inlet water races to meet the rocky shoreline, affording one of the most dramatic and breathtaking views in golf today .The course has one of the most famous par 3's in the world, the famous 3rd. The 11th hole hitting down to the ocean is another signature hole at Mauna Kea.
Mauna Lani's North Course has fast become one of the most popular tournament venues on the Island. Rated as one of the best golf experiences on the Big Island of Hawaii. Built on a lava bed, the North is characterized by rolling terrain punctuated by Kiawe forests. Number 17, is the North's signature hole, par 3, measuring 140 yards, and requires a tee shot from an elevated tee to a green that is framed by a natural lava amphitheater, and a favorite "I was here" photo spot. There are as many as five different tee positions on most of the holes to give golfers a wide range of options in meeting the challenging conditions. With the Groves of twisted kiawe trees along the fairway edges and a more pronounced topography make the holes seem quite a contrast from the south 18.
Mauna Lani’s South Course is home to Hole #15, one of the most photographed over-the-water golf course holes in the world. Renowned as the former home to the annual Senior Skins Game from 1990 - 2000, the course snakes through the stark, rugged a'a lava of the prehistoric Kaniku lava flow. The challenging South Course offers the golfer a panorama of mountain and ocean views. Signature holes on the South Course that play beside the ocean are the famous 15th, 13th, 16th and 7th..During the winter months golfers can enjoy watching humpback whales migrating offshore and only yards from these holes. Most of the greens are flat, but hard to determine the speed as there are many subtle breaks as you roll your ball to the flag. Playing Mauna Lani is a must for any golfer visiting the Big Island.
Here is a list of Three of the "Must Play" golf courses on the Hawaiian Island Of Maui. Hawaii is full of fantastic golf courses but here is a list of three of the most famous, renowned and unique golf clubs that everybody should play while visiting Maui, Hawaii. Hawaii Golf clubs are listed in alphabetical order.
Recognized as one of the top golf resorts in the world, Kapalua’s two championship golf courses are nothing short of breathtaking. The Kapalua Bay Course, Host of the 2008 Kapalua LPGA Classic, winds its way through towering palms and flowering hibiscus. Built with the tee on one side of a Pacific inlet and the green on the other, use the trade winds as your 5th tee shot carries over glistening Oneloa Bay. With its uninterrupted views of the Pacific and gentle rolling fairways, the Bay Course is sure to excite Golfers of all skill levels.The Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane designed course was one of the earliest features in the development of Kapalua Resort and the forerunner of the resort’s two championship courses. The course has two holes that are on the Pacific. The short par 4, 4th hole and the great par 3, 5th hole.
The Kapalua Plantation built around the natural wonders of the West Maui Mountains, the Plantation Course at Kapalua ranks among the world’s greatest courses. So special, even the PGA tour only allows winners from the previous year to tee it up at its season opening event, the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. The Plantation Course was designed by famed golf architects Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore and stretches out across natural geographic formations and pineapple plantation fields. The views are simply incredible from every hole on the course! In winter months, you will see Humpbacks breaching and amazing views of the islands of Molokai and Lanai. The finishing 17th and 18th holes are truly two of the great and fun finishing holes in golf. The 17th is a 508 yard par 4 and the 18th is a 663 yard par 5! On each hole there is serious elevation change, where drives can be over 400 yards on the 18th fairway!
Home to three great courses - Wailea Gold Golf Course, Wailea Emerald Golf Course and the original golf course, Wailea Old Blue Golf Course. All levels of golfers will love it here. Wailea Gold was honored by both Golf Magazine and Golf Digest as one of the country’s ten best new resort courses when it opened in 1994. Known as a “thinking player’s course,” the Gold offers a true test of a golfers skills. The Maui Historical Society recognized the course for its preservation of prehistoric lava rock walls during construction, and hailed as one of the world’s best designed courses by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler in the magazine’s first golf resorts poll. Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, The Gold's 200 foot elevation change from top to bottom enhances the numerous ocean and mountain views available from virtually every hole.
Here is a list of Three of the "Must Play" golf courses on the Hawaiian Island Of Oahu. Hawaii is full of fantastic golf courses but here is a list of three of the most famous, renowned and unique golf clubs that everybody should play while visiting Oahu, Hawaii. Hawaii Golf clubs are listed in alphabetical order.
Located on the west coast of the island at the Ko Olina resort, the Ted Robinson designed Ko Olina Golf Club is one of the few resort courses located on Oahu. The par-72 layout features generous landing areas, multi-tiered greens, cascading waterfalls and a picturesque ocean location.
Considered by many the toughest golf course on the planet, carved through a mountainside jungle the course is as beautiful as it is difficult, featuring winding ravines, extreme elevation changes, dense jungle, and stunning views of cascading waterfalls. Ko'olau can commonly be found in the top golf course lists created by Golf Magazine and other trusted names in golf.
People in the know, From Golf Digest to the Champions Tour to the LPGA Tour to the Hawaii State Open to Golf Channel’s The Big Break, those who make their living seeking out the world’s best golf destinations have consistently chosen Turtle Bay on Oahu. Acres of breathtaking coastline. Two championship courses. One Turtle Bay. The Turtle Bay Palmer Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, is the more challenging offerings of the Resort and plays to a yardage of just over 7200 yards from the back tees. With the beautiful setting of its location is heavily influenced by nature’s elements. The Turtle Bay Fazio Course, considered the more playable of the two Turtle Bay Courses, was designed by George Fazio and features generous fairways and a length of just over 6700 from the back tees. The greens are not nearly as guarded as it’s sister course, and can be enjoyed by players of all levels.
This week's PGA Tour event, the Canadian Open, is the last of a long stretch of National Opens. It started with the US then the Irish and the Scottish and the British and now the Canadian. The Canadian Open is the third oldest continuously-running tournament on the PGA Tour, after The Open Championship and the U.S. Open. Past winners of the tournament include: Walter Hagen, Tommy Armour, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Greg Norman and Tiger Woods. The Canadian Open is regarded as the most prestigious tournament never won by the great Jack Nicklaus, a seven-time runner-up.
Brandt Snedeker will look to defend his title this year at Royal Montreal, the oldest golf club in North America. Royal Montreal was founded in 1873, and played host to the Presidents Cup in 2007 (Won by the U.S.).
