ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jesper Parnevik of Sweden watched his drive from the first tee of the Plantation Course during third round play of the Mercedes Championships last year.
An up close look at the
Plantation Course at Kapalua
2003 PGA Tour Schedule
2003 Champions Tour Schedule
Playing for keeps
Full Court Press
Notebook
The Plantation Course at Kapalua Par: 73, Yardage: 7,263
NO. 1, 473 YARDS, PAR-4
"Kapalua," a downhill, downwind par-4 of immense proportion, introduces the character, scale and drama of the course about to be played. An adequate tee shot assisted by the wind and slope should leave a middle- to long-iron approach to an expansive and welcoming green that slopes from left to right. The difficulty of this hole is more psychological than physical.
NO. 2, 218 YARDS, PAR-3
"Drift" is a downwind par three, to a large green angled from left to right. The tilt of the green plus the direction and force of the wind favor shots that fade and are played with finesse. Running approaches are encouraged and rewarded here.
NO. 3, 380 YARDS, PAR-4
"Easterly" is a hole of medium length made longer by playing directly into the trade winds. The fairway bends slightly to the right, past a cluster of bunkers leading to a plateaued green that slopes from right to left; it is guarded on the wings by two predominate bunkers. The slope of the green combined with the trade winds make this an elusive target and an appreciated par.
NO. 4, 382 YARDS, PAR-4
"The High Road." Reminiscent of The National Golf Links in Southampton, Long Island, "The High Road" is an old fashioned affair with a well-defined drive over a high hill to a rolling fairway. Play the approach shot with medium irons to a wide green that gathers from right to left. The shallow left side of the green and winds crossing from the left make approaches to the left pin placements more difficult.
NO. 5, 532 YARDS, PAR-5
"Cape." A natural, daring par-5. "Cape" slopes left to right all the way. The fairway culminates at a green perched on a peninsula high above the canyon that borders the entire right side of the hole. The nature of the hole entices the player to "have a go" after a fine drive. Aim approaches at the left side of the green. Courage, but not foolhardiness, is rewarded here.
NO. 6, 398 YARDS, PAR-4
"Cross n' Down." A spectacular, mysterious par-4 with alternate routes to the green, "Cross n' Down" plays through strong cross winds from the right. Play the ideal tee shot dangerously, powerfully and accurately across the cliffs to the right side of the fairway, where the green may be adequately viewed. The more conservative left route creates a blind approach to the bowl-shaped green.
NO. 7, 484 YARDS, PAR-4
"Molokai," the second of three long, downhill, downwind par-4s, plays much shorter than its listed yardage due to the prevailing wind and assisting slopes. The expansive fairway angling from left to right is inviting as is the large undulating green. The green, with its bunkering, encourages running approaches.
NO. 8, 203 YARDS, PAR-3
"Gorge" is a middle-iron par-3 playing across a native canyon to a receptive green. The green, which slopes back to front and right to left, was built to hold and nurse the ball to the left, given the strong trade winds from the right.
NO. 9, 521 YARDS, PAR-5
"Long," likely the course's most demanding hole, requires three quality shots directly into the wind to reach the green. The tee shot must be solidly played into the fairway to allow the second to carry a large valley in the fairway crossing. Shots failing to carry the valley leave blind approaches; those carrying the valley will position the players for a short iron or pitch approach to a plateaued green guarded by bunkers on the right. Here, par is coveted.
NO. 10, 354 YARDS, PAR-4
"Humpback." The 10th, like the third, is a relatively short par-4 made substantially longer by playing into the wind and slightly uphill. The ample fairway, tilting dramatically from right to left, invites controlled draws. The same tilting, however, can encourage uncontrolled hooks when approaches are played from its slopes toward the plateaued green. The green rewards low, driving shots into the wind and running approaches.
NO. 11, 164 YARDS, PAR-3
"Bay," the last par-3 of the course, demands -- and rewards -- thoughtful finesse. The desired tee shot is a short iron that either "cuts" and "holds" into the wind blowing from the player's right shoulder or one that allows for drift and uses the approach and slope of the green for assistance. A shot flown directly to the back left pin will not likely be tried more than once.
NO. 12, 373 YARDS, PAR-4
"Lanai" is a statistically long par-4 transformed into a drive and pitch hole by the prevailing wind. An accurate, carrying tee shot to the hilltop leaves a short pitch to a small concave green with steep surrounding slopes. The bunkers guarding the putting surface on all but the front are placed more to save errant approaches from further harm than for penalty. A pitch shot landing 20 yards short will find its way to the green.
NO. 13, 407 YARDS, PAR-4
"The Low Road." The most difficult par-4 on the course, this long hole is made far longer and more difficult by the winds. Low, boring tee shots and long-iron or fairway-wood approaches favoring the right side of the fairway are necessary to reach this deep and deceptive green in regulation. Putts numbering three or more will also be commonplace given the green's size, slope and the wind's effects.
NO. 14, 305 YARDS, PAR-4
"Plateau," a very short par-4 playing through a crossing wind from the left, appears by yardage to be one of the easier holes on the course. Yet, the course's smallest green perched atop another plateau, the ever-present winds and an expansive array of fairway bunkers lying in wait test both tee shots and approaches. What this hole may lack in length it more than compensates for in personality.
NO. 15, 555 YARDS, PAR-5
"Switchback." A double dogleg par-5 showing not bunkers but natural character. "Switchback" is strongly defined by its slopes, the crossing winds and another native canyon that borders the tee-shot area on the right and the green on the left. Shots played more closely along these dangerous borders will afford opportunity for birdies.
NO. 16, 365 YARDS, PAR-4
"Arena." A moderate length par-4 with strong trade winds crossing from the left, "Arena" is a strategic hole of merit. A string of fairway bunkers on a diagonal from left to right strongly influences tee-shot decisions. Tee shots played powerfully and accurately over the bunkers afford the best angle of attack to all pins except those set far left. These left-side pins are best approached from the far-right side of the fairway, an area most dangerous to long drivers.
NO. 17, 486 YARDS, PAR-4
"Sunset." Another unusually long par, "Sunset" is made accessible by prevailing winds and a downhill slope exceeding 150 feet from tee to green. The tee shot, preferably a high soaring draw, plays to a wide, collecting fairway sloping right to left. Approach shots are played with anything from middle irons to fairway woods; a large yet subtle green beckons to and accepts the long running approach.
NO. 18, 663 YARDS, PAR-5
"Home." The hole around which the rest of the course was formulated, "Home" is an extremely long downhill, downwind par-5. The hole is made reachable in two powerful blows by the assisting winds and slope. The large, receptive fairway and green are difficult to judge owing to the vast panoramas and the scale of the background. Here, the scale and drama are uncommon; the challenge is within reason, while the surrounding beauty is unparalleled.
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Jan. 9-12 -- Mercedes Championships, Plantation Course at Kapalua, Kapalua, Hawaii. 2003 PGA TOUR SCHEDULE
Jan. 16-19 -- Sony Open, Waialae CC, Honolulu.
Jan. 23-26 -- Phoenix Open, TPC of Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Jan. 29-Feb. 2 -- Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, PGA West-Palmer Private; Indian Wells; La Quinta; and Bermuda Dunes, La Quinta, Calif.
Feb. 6-9 -- AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Pebble Beach; Spyglass Hill; and Poppy Hills, Pebble Beach, Calif.
Feb. 13-16 -- Buick Invitational, Torrey Pines (North and South), San Diego.
Feb. 20-23 -- Nissan Open, Riviera CC, Los Angeles.
Feb. 26-March 2 -- WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, La Costa Resort and Spa, Carlsbad, Calif.
Feb. 27-March 2 -- Chrysler Classic of Tucson, Tucson National Golf Resort and Spa, Tucson, Ariz.
March 6-9 -- Ford Championship, Doral Golf Resort and Spa (Blue Course), Miami.
March 13-16 -- Honda Classic, Country Club at Mirasol, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
March 20-23 -- Bay Hill Invitational, Bay Hill Golf Club and Lodge, Orlando, Fla.
March 27-30 -- The Players Championship, TPC at Sawgrass (Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
April 3-6 -- Bellsouth Classic, TPC at Sugarloaf, Duluth, Ga.
April 10-13 -- Masters, Augusta National GC, Augusta, Ga.
April 17-20 -- The Heritage, Harbour Town GL, Hilton Head Island, S.C.
April 24-27 -- Shell Houston Open, Redstone GC (Fall Creek Course), Houston.
May 1-4 -- HP Classic of New Orleans, English Turn Golf and CC, New Orleans.
May 8-11 -- Wachovia Championship, Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, N.C.
May 15-18 -- EDS Byron Nelson Classic, TPC at Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas, Irving, Texas.
May 22-25 -- Bank of American Colonial, Colonial CC, Fort Worth, Texas.
May 29-June 1 -- Memorial Tournament, Muirfield Village GC, Dublin, Ohio.
June 5-8 -- Kemper Open, TPC at Avenel, Potomac, Md.
June 12-15 -- U.S. Open, Olympia Fields CC, Olympia Fields, Ill.
June 19-22 -- Buick Classic, Westchester CC, Harrison, N.Y.
June 26-29 -- FedEx St. Jude Classic, TPC at Southwind, Memphis, Tenn.
July 3-6 -- Western Open, Cog Hill Golf and CC, Lemont, Ill.
July 10-13 -- Greater Milwaukee Open, Brown Deer Park GC, Milwaukee.
July 17-20 -- British Open, Royal St. George's GC, Sandwich, England.
July 17-20 -- B.C. Open, En-Joie GC, Endicott, N.Y.
July 24-27 -- Greater Hartford Open, TPC at River Highlands, Cromwell, Conn.
July 31-Aug. 3 -- Buick Open, Warwick Hills Golf and CC, Grand Blanc, Mich.
Aug. 7-10 -- The International, Castle Pines GC, Castle Rock, Colo.
Aug. 14-17 -- PGA Championship, Oak Hill CC, Rochester, N.Y.
Aug. 21-24 -- WGC-NEC Invitational, Firestone CC, Akron, Ohio.
Aug. 21-24 -- Reno-Tahoe Open, Montreux Golf and CC, Reno, Nev.
Aug. 25-Sept. 1 -- Deutsche Bank US Championship, TPC at Boston, Norton, Mass.
Sept. 4-7 -- Bell Canadian Open, Hamilton GC, Ancaster, Ontario.
Sept. 11-14 -- John Deere Classic, TPC at Deere Run, Silvis, Ill.
Sept. 18-21 -- 84 Lumber Classic of Pennsylvania, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa (Mystic Rock Course), Farmington, Pa.
Sept. 25-28 -- Valero Texas Open, La Cantera GC, San Antonio.
Oct. 2-5 -- WGC-American Express Championship, Capital City Club, Woodstock, Ga.
Oct. 2-5 -- Southern Farm Bureau Classic, Annandale GC, Madison, Miss.
Oct. 8-12 -- Las Vegas Invitational, TPC at Summerlin; TPC at The Canyons; and Southern Highlands GC, Las Vegas.
Oct. 16-19 -- Chrysler Classic of Greensboro, Forest Oaks CC, Greensboro, N.C.
Oct. 23-26 -- Funai Classic at Walt Disney World Resort (Magnolia and Palm), Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Oct. 30-Nov. 2 -- Chrysler Championship, Westin Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor, Fla.
Nov. 6-9 -- Tour Championship, Champions GC, Houston.
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Jan. 31-Feb. 2 -- MasterCard Championship, Hualalai GC, Ka'upulehu-Kona, Hawaii. CHAMPIONS TOUR, 2003 SCHEDULE
Feb. 7-9 -- Royal Caribbean Golf Classic, Crandon Park GC, Key Biscayne, Fla.
Feb. 14-16 -- The ACE Group Classic, TwinEagles GC, Naples, Fla.
Feb. 21-23 -- Verizon Classic, TPC of Tampa Bay, Lutz, Fla.
March 7-9 -- The BosqueReal Championship, BosqueReal CC, Lomas Altas, Mexico.
March 14-16 -- SBC Classic, Valencia CC, Valencia, Calif.
March 21-23 -- Toshiba Senior Classic, Newport Beach CC, Newport Beach, Calif.
April 18-20 -- Emerald Coast Classic, The Moors GC, Milton, Fla.
April 25-27 -- Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, Savannah, Ga.
May 2-4 -- Bruno's Memorial Classic, Greyston G&CC, Birmingham, Ala.
May 9-11 -- Kinko's Classic of Austin, The Hills CC, Austin, Texas.
May 16-18 -- Bayer Advantage Invitational, The National GC of Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo.
May 23-25 -- Columbus Southern Open, Green Island CC, Columbus, Ga.
May 30-June 1 -- Music City Championship at Gaylord Opryland, Springhouse GC, Nashville, Tenn.
June 5-8 -- Senior PGA Championship, Aronimink GC, Newtown Square, Pa.
June 20-22 -- Farmers Charity Classic, Egypt Valley CC, Ada, Mich.
June 26-29 -- U.S. Senior Open, Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio.
July 4-6 -- Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn, Rock Barn G&CC, Conover, N.C.
July 10-13 -- Ford Champions Players Championship, TPC of Michigan, Dearborn, Mich.
July 24-27 -- Senior British Open, Turnberry (Ailsa Course), Scotland.
Aug. 1-3 -- FleetBoston Classic, Nashawtuc CC, Concord, Mass.
Aug. 8-10 -- 3M Championship, TPC of the Twin Cities, Blaine, Minn.
Aug. 22-24 -- Allianz Championship, Glen Oaks CC, West Des Moines, Iowa.
Aug. 28-31 -- Jeld-Wen Tradition, The Reserve Vineyards & GC, Aloha, Ore.
Sept. 5-7 -- Kroger Classic, TPC at River Bend, Mainesville, Ohio.
Sept. 12-14 -- Constellation Energy Classic, TBD, Baltimore.
Sept. 19-21 -- SAS Championships, Prestonwood CC, Cary, N.C.
Sept. 26-28 -- Long Island Classic, TBD, Long Island, N.Y.
Oct. 10-12 -- Turtle Bay Championship, Turtle Bay Resort (Palmer Course), Kahuku, Hawaii.
Oct. 17-19 -- SBC Championship, Oak Hills CC, San Antonio.
Oct. 23-26 -- Champions Tour Championship, TBC.
