Kapalua: The Plantation Course

The Plantation Course is the newest of the trio at Kapalua Resort, opening in mid-May of 1991. It is a long and difficult layout designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw that occupies 240 acres of steeply sloping up and down hillsides and deep ravines. The fairways are generously wide, even oddly balloon-like sometimes. The routing is eccentric due to the radically angled and slopping land. Variations in elevation are sometimes deceptive and cause great consternation in club selection, especially with the swirling Pacific winds. From the tees landing on the short stuff can be surprisingly difficult. Approaches to the greens are sometimes uphill and often way downhill making correct club choice imminently crucial. The configuration of several holes is, from above, seemingly similar, but the changes in elevation add creative variation to the way the routes play. Compare, for instance, the par four 17th and the par five 18th. The holes are very alike in appearance, but the variations in elevation, slope and distance make them play completely different. It's a very complex layout where local knowledge about the influence of the various slopes, the bounce of the ball and the affect of the wind can save a lot of wayward strokes.  The Plantation Course becomes the host of the Mercedes Championships, the first PGA event of the year, in January, 2000.

For questions or comments please send e-mail to David.

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Artists' Golf is a conceptual work of art Copyright 1995 - 2008 by David B. Lewis and all original paintings, drawings and art works are Copyright by David B. Lewis. All rights reserved.  Maps of existing courses are original artistic interpretations and impressions from a variety of sources and are not intended to be accurate renderings or representations of the actual courses.  They indicate my interest and study and are intended purely for the pleasure and information of the viewers and are not for sale or profit.