Sunday, June 10, 2001
[HAWAII'S SIGNATURE HOLES]
A risk worth If you don't feel like taking chances, then Honolulu Country Club's No. 18 is not for you.
taking at HCC
The 512-yard, par-5 closing
hole at the Honolulu Country
Club will reward any golfer
who can reach the green in
two shotsBy Randy Cadiente
Star-BulletinOriginally designed by well-known East Coast architect Francis Duane with Arnold Palmer as consultant and advisor, Robin Nelson reconfigured the 512-yard, par-5 closing hole in 1991 and made it not only more challenging, but intimidating as well.
"It's a hole that will really get your knees shaking," HCC professional Dave Kowalczyk said.
Nelson put two huge bunkers on the left side of the fairway and reshaped the two-tiered green. Kowalczyk said that brings the water into play more now.
And there's lots of it.
There's water in front of the tee area and a stream alongside the right of the fairway that runs up to a kidney-shaped green. There's also a lake to the left that separates the green at No. 18 from the first tee.
"You have to hit your tee shot right to left and your second shot left to right," Kowalczyk said."And your third shot is into the wind to a two-tiered green."
A tee shot of 255 yards will get you over the bunkers, according Kowalczyk. And a monster drive could leave golfers with an approach shot of anywhere between a 5- to 7-iron.
But go in the bunker and Kowalczyk said par would be considered a good score.
"It's reachable but you're against the wind," he said.
There are benefits for golfers willing to go for the green on their second shot.
"It's a really good risk-award hole," Kowalczyk said.
The 18th hole was originally No. 9 before Nelson redesigned the course situated on 177 acres in the Salt Lake neighborhood and transformed it into a 6,612-yard, par-72 layout.
Editor's note: Hawaii's Signature Holes are featured in the Star-Bulletin on Sundays.