Troon Golf & Travel, January/February 2018

38 TROON GOLF TRAVEL eMAGAZINE TROON GOLF TRAVEL eMAGAZINE 39 Y oure in for a treat when you play the South Course Again tee it up early for the best conditions the winds tend to pick up in the afternoons The South is more open than the North with fewer trees and wide fairways bordered by black and brown lava rock The rough is less penal on this gem of a design over which the Senior Skins Game was contested The experience is fun from the start but when you get to No 7 a par 3 with the Pacific Ocean crashing against the rocks just to the left of the hole your day just got even better No 15 is another hole that brings out the cameras but dont get all goo goo eyed with its beauty as youll need to hit a solid tee shot over water to reach the oversized green It plays from 117 forward to 196 championship yards but the wind plays a role and then theres that over water thing Its one of the best holes in Hawaii In addition to a rich golf history the South Course features numerous archeological sites important in the Hawaiian culture including trails fish ponds and ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs In the afternoon try snorkeling in the warm clear Pacific Dozens of species of fish make these waters their home and honu green sea turtles are often spotted as are manta rays Winter months are great for whale watching as the humpbacks make their annual birthing migration from Alaska to Hawaii from November through March What should you do tomorrow We told you four days wouldnt be enough T his is your day to explore Ask your concierge for directions to Waimea located about 18 miles from the resort in the cool upcountry foothills of Mauna Kea mountain where green fields horse and cattle ranches and working vegetable farms outnumber residential developments Parker Ranch headquarters is a fascinating tour as is the Paniolo Heritage Center at Pukalani Stables Both tell the story of the Hawaiian cowboys paniolo who have worked the cattle herds on Parker Ranch and elsewhere on the island since the 1800s Waimeas ranching heritage is still widely celebrated with junior equestrian programs an annual Paniolo Parade and a 4th of July rodeo A 25 minute drive east beyond Waimea to the Hamakua Coast reveals another of the islands heritages sugarcane The towns that dot this windward coast from Honokaa to Hilo all grew up to support the field workers and production factories during the years when sugarcane was king of Hawaiis economy 1840s 1980s Nowadays much of the land formerly planted in sugarcane is used for growing the fruits and vegetables served in local restaurants and found at farmers markets Several stops are recommended along this gorgeous coast including Waipio Valley Akaka Falls State Park with its 422 foot namesake waterfall and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden if youre nearing Hilo and are up for a very scenic side trip Plan enough time to be back at the hotel for a late afternoon dip in the ocean and dinner under the stars on the patio at Browns Beach House at the Fairmont Orchid FOR MORE INFORMATION www MaunaLani com www MaunaLaniGolf com www Fairmont com Orchid Hawaii the par 3 15th on the south course at mauna lani is unforgettable no matter your score EXPLORE SOUTH COURSE Day 3 Day 4 the fairmont orchid