Inside the course: Hualalai Resort GC

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Condon/PGA TOUR

Fred Funk hits a shot on the signature 17th hole at Hualalai Golf Course.

Jan. 23, 2009

The Champions Tour starts its season at the Hualalai Golf Course in Kaupulehu-Kona, Hawaii. Learn more about the host venue for the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.

Fast facts

Original architect	Jack Nicklaus
Course superintendent	Earl Sanders
Number of Champions Tour events as host venue	12 (including 2009)
Course ranking	Ranked 29 (out of 29) in difficulty on the Champions Tour in 2008
Par value	72
Yardage history	7,053 yards (1997-2002)
	7,097 yards (2003-2006)
	7,107 (2007)
	7,053 (2008-present)
Grass	Tifdwarf bermudagrass (greens); Tifway II bermudagrass (tees, fairways, rough)
Tournament Stimpmeter	11 ft
Sand bunkers	106
Water hazards	2
Course tour	Click here

Course record

Player
Loren Roberts

Year
2006

Round
3rd

Finish
WON

Holes-in-one

There has been one ace recorded at the Hualalai Golf Course.

Player	Hole	Year
Doug Tewell	No. 8	2002

2008 Rankings

Most Difficult Hole

	The par-3 fifth The next journey muaka, or towards the mountain, starts with this 205 yard par three. The elevated tee overlooks a picturesque setting with a lake and challenging water features. 2008: 0 eagles, 13 birdies, 86 pars, 13 bogeys, 9 double bogeys, 2 others
Easiest hole in 2008
	The par-5 fourth On this hole, the tee shot finds its way across the Hawaiian Trail. After an encounter with history, a decision needs to be made on the reachable green with the second shot. The landing area is slightly elevated so players can see the green complex. Players should be aware of the right front bunker, it's deep. 2008: 7 eagles, 82 birdies, 32 pars, 2 bogeys, 0 double bogeys, 0 others

Hualalai GC			2008 rankings		Last 12 years
Hole	Par	Yards	Avg. Score	Rank	Avg. Score	Rank
1	4	397	3.74	14	3.892	12
2	4	434	3.984	7	4.059	5
3	4	422	3.886	10	3.961	8
4	5	526	4.236	18	4.402	18
5	3	205	3.203	1	3.240	1
6	4	392	3.797	13	3.916	11
7	5	551	4.415	16	4.489	16
8	3	222	3.106	3	3.186	2
9	4	461	4.089	4	4.084	4
10	5	566	4.309	17	4.442	17
11	4	416	4.138	2	4.112	3
12	3	167	2.992	6	2.938	9
13	4	387	3.854	11	3.882	13
14	5	519	4.618	15	4.561	15
15	4	428	4.008	5	4.023	6
16	4	440	3.976	8	3.982	7
17	3	164	2.813	12	2.875	14
18	4	410	3.919	9	3.922	10

Course origins

Eleven years ago this lava landscape shaped by centuries of volcanic eruptions became a tantalizing proposition for Jack Nicklaus who had already met and mastered the most awesome elements of golf design and competition.

The Golden Bear put it this way, "The inspiration came from the lava...to use those natural ups and downs, always keeping in mind that the ocean is the greatest influence here." To meet the challenge this spectacular terrain presented, Nicklaus was at Hualalai every step of the way; routing, designing and refining each hole.

His investment of energy, creativity and attention to detail produced a truly spectacular playing field. The 12th hole par 3 provides an adrenaline rush for any challenger facing this expansive contoured green with a deep bunker right in the middle. "Every golf course needs a little controversy," Nicklaus offers, but it is a very playable course and I think the people staying at the resort and the people who live here are going to enjoy it."

Hualalai's signature 17th hole is where Nicklaus takes the golfers to the sea with a green that "actually touches the ocean".

Describing Hualalai Golf Course, he sounds much like a proud parent. "Golf course design is like painting on a big canvas. What I try to do is paint something beautiful with some good golf shots in it". And indeed, the master has fashioned a masterpiece at Hualalai.

Tournament course history

Course	Location	Years
La Costa CC	Carlsbad, Calif.	1984-1994
Hyatt Dorado Beach (East)	Dorado, Puerto Rico	1995-1996
Hualalai GC	Kaupulehu-Kona, Hawaii	1997-present