The British Open returns to Hoylake or Royal Liverpool in England on July 13th, 2014 for the first time since 2006, when Tiger woods successfully defended his title. Previous to 2006, the British open was absent from Royal Liverpool for 39 years stretching back to 1967.
Royal Liverpool — or Hoylake, as it is usually known — is the second-oldest seaside links golf course in England, and was the first course in North-West England to host The Open. Built on the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club, it retained a dual role as horse racing venue and golf course for the first few years of its life.
“Blown upon by mighty winds, breeder of mighty champions,” is how Bernard Darwin described Royal Liverpool, and looking at the list of Hoylake Open winners it’s hard to disagree. Harold Hilton, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Peter Thomson and Roberto De Vicenzo have all lifted the Claret Jug on the Wirrall Links, and Tiger Woods earned his third Open title when the Championship returned to Hoylake in 2006 after a 39 year absence.
In preparation for the 2014 Open Championship, Royal Liverpool has undergone a number of changes to strengthen the challenge for the world’s leading players. The course will measure 7,312 yards and play to a par of 72, 54 yards longer than in 2006. A number of bunkers have been removed, leaving 82 in total across the course. Five holes have new swales around the greens to punish errant shots with more varied hazards, while broken ground has been created in the rough on a number of holes to create tougher escape shots.
2013 Open champion Phil Mickelson will hope to defend his title this year -
June 11th, 2014 is a Holiday in Hawaii to celebrate King Kamehameha Day.
If you are in Waikiki, Oahu don't miss the KING KAMEHAMEHA CELEBRATION FLORAL PARADE AND HOOLAULEA
This colorful celebration honors the reign of King Kamehameha, who was responsible for uniting the Hawaiian Islands under his rule in 1795.
Starting at 9am the parade will move down King Street to Punchbowl Street. Then down Ala Moana Boulevard towards Waikiki to Kalakaua Avenue, ending at the Queen Kapiolani Regional Park. Parade is estimated to be completed by 11:30 a.m. Parade route roads will be closed, but cross streets may open as the Parade passes that area.
The Hoolaulea will be held this year at the Kakaako Makai Gateway Park from 10am- 3pm.
Parade will also be televised LIVE on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. on Oceanic Cable Channel 12 and HD Channel 1012. It will also stream LIVE on www.oc16.tv.
Hawaii offers some of the best luxury hotel resorts in the world and what is better than to find a resort that offers championship fairways outside of your bedroom window, so you can just roll out of bed and be first on the golf course. Here are the top 10 golf hotels in Hawaii, listed in alphabetical order.
The Hualalai Resort is home to two courses, but the Nicklaus Signature Design is the one you want. The eighteen-hole course, which hosts the annual Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, was the first on the island to be designed by legend Jack Nicklaus. Signature hole 17 will remind you of why you picked up golf in first place, and a nighttime round of glow-in-the dark "scramble" will bring out the kid in you.
The hotel offers one of the most magnificent beaches in Hawaii, in addition to The Challenge at Manele golf course built on lava outcroppings with gorgeous Pacific views. Set dramatically above Hulopoe Bay, The Challenge has two holes where one must pitch the ball over the ocean to get to the green. The par 72 course was designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. Its less challenging sister course, The Experience at Koele, was designed by Greg Norman in 1991 with architect Ted Robinson's eye for seamlessly integrating the architecture with its impressive natural setting and water elements. The piece de résistance here at The Lodge at Koele, the other Four Seasons Resort Lanai, is signature hole 17, a 250-foot drop from the tee located in a lush gorge.
The hotel consists of 32 oceanfront acres, with restaurants, a spa, a golf course and 350 guest rooms, including 36 oceanfront suites and one very grand Hapuna Suite. With elevation that ranges from sea level up to 700 feet, Hapuna Golf Course is a championship course designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay that measures almost 6,900 yards. The signature twelfth hole, at just under 700 feet, offers panoramic views of the Big Island. Opt for at least an oceanview room since the views are spectacular and panoramic.
Golfers will appreciate the 27-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. With views of the Waianae mountains, the 7,225-yard course covers 270 acres. Note that it's a 40-minute ride from the hotel to the course.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Mauna Kea Golf Course opened in 1964 and was christened by the "Big Three," Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Nearly five decades later, it remains the golden standard by which other island courses are judged. The course was renovated in 2008 by Jones' son Rees who oversaw the planting of highly efficient TifEagle and 419 Bermuda grasses, as well as the additions of state-of-the-art irrigation and drainage systems. The challenging par 72 course spans 7,370 yards with elevation ranges from zero to 300 feet above sea-level.
Built on a lava bed, the sprawling 6,913-yard North Course offers a unique setting to tee off in. The rolling terrain, dotted with mesquite forests and herds of wild goats, is breathtaking. Opened in 1981, the par 72 course distinguishes itself from its sister South Course by its location further inland and its calmer winds. The unique seventeenth hole is a charming par 3 encased in a lava coliseum.
Set on a 22,000-acre, historic pineapple plantation and flanked by both the Pacific Ocean and the West Maui mountains, the public, par 73 Kapalua Plantation Course offers a stunning setting for a day on the green. The home of the PGA Tour's Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Maui, its elevation changes and prevailing winds make this course, designed by famed duo Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, ideal for intermediate golfers.
The recently renovated par 72 Makai Golf Club, was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. with five sets of golf tees for various levels of ability. The black tees are the most difficult and reserved for players with a handicap of five or less. Since this course is set against the ocean on Kauai's green North Shore, the winds can become quite strong, so make sure to plan ahead and bring extra golf balls. The Makai Course winds it way around serene lakes, native woodlands and the spectacular coastline with views of Bali Hai and Hanalei Bay.
The resort has two challenging golf courses with a total of 36 championship holes designed by Arnold Palmer and George Fazio. The Palmer Course winds its way through natural wetlands, with its signature 17th hole on the coast, while the Fazio course is easier. The area comes into its own during the winter months when nearby beaches are the setting for gigantic surf and numerous surfing competitions. It’s a mecca for the international surf crowd, and the air can be absolutely electric with activity. All standard rooms have ocean views, and the newer villas and beach cottages are spacious and luxurious.
The sun is shining at Princeville Makai, you will love the course! Conditions are amazing and with some of the best ocean holes in all of Hawaii.
Up at the north end of Kauai in the princeville area you will find 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.
Do not miss this fantastic golf course on your next visit to Kauai in Hawaii !
What is better then a day out then visiting the South of Maui at beautiful Wailea? 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. The Gold would be the hardest, Emerald Best views and Blue the least busy. All three all definitely on your list of courses to play while here in Maui.
Aloha Golfers, most golf courses around the Hawaiian Islands are finally done with the aeration till next spring! Make sure you check out our website for all the latest info on course conditions. We are going to take the drone out this weekend and get some video from Turtle Bay Palmer and Fazio courses.
Happy Holiday everyone,
On Thursday December 26, 2013. President Obama ventured out to the very scenic and tough Ko'olau Golf Course in Oahu.
Ko'olau is without a doubt the hardest course in Hawaii and for many years was considered the hardest golf course in The USA.
I'm sure The President took a few mulligans here and there.
If you ever are in Oahu, make sure you check out this amazing golf course in the jungle
Hawaii Tee Times