City tees off on gift cards for municipal golf courses

Fore-get conventional Christmas gifts for the golfer in the family -- the city has a new idea.

The city on Monday began selling gift cards for rounds of golf at the island's six municipal golf courses: Ala Wai, Pali, Ted Makalena, West Loch, Ewa Villages and Kahuku.

"Gift cards are very, very popular at our malls and at our shopping centers and the city does not want to be left out of it," Mayor Mufi Hannemann said. "We feel this is a perfect time to bring this out."

The cards are sold only in $25 denominations only at the Ala Wai for now.

"As soon as this becomes extremely popular as we anticipate, it will be moving out to all the municipal golf courses," said Gail Haraguchi, deputy director of the Department of Enterprise Services.

The cards can only be used to purchase tee times at the starter's window and can't be used at the pro shops, driving ranges or restaurant concessions.

The cards are good for two years after they are issued and, like other gift cards, until the full face value is spent. The card balance cannot be redeemed for cash, but card holders can purchase more cards or pay any difference in cash.