Kona Country Club

Top-3 Reasons to play KONA COUNTRY CLUB:

• Kona Country Club is an oceanfront layout with five seaside holes
• Delivers quality course conditions without the resort price tag
• With your GOLFHAWAIICARD only $85 (one-round after 1pm)

Kona Country Club was originally the Ocean Course at Kona Country Club, which also included the now-defunct Mountain Course. The remaining 18 holes, which flourish near Keauhou Bay south of Kailua-Kona, meanders to and from the sea. In fact, it makes its way to the Pacific Ocean for all of a par-3 and parts of the holes before and after on both the front and back nines.

During the early stages of the 21st Century, the remaining Kona Country Club layout underwent two major renovations that refined the original William Francis Bell-design. The course is reasonably straight-forward and untricked-up, with two doglegs on each nine. Wide, resort-like fairways coupled with generous landing areas ensure that a golfer's biggest challenge will be from 60 yards in. Quality turf conditions combined with the gentlest breezes on The Big Island, should also assist with scoring.

The first renovations, which occurred just before the new millennium, for the 2000 and 2001 LPGA Takefuji Classic, added to the character and flavor of the layout. Improved tee boxes and clever use of the oceanfront terrain made the course more visually appealing and enhanced shot values. The most recent renovations from 2013-2015, dealt primarily with updating turfs, bunkers, irrigation and drainage. So, what golfers get now is a well-conditioned golf course comfortably juxtaposed to the blue Pacific.

The Kona Country Club's 2nd Green, entire 3rd Hole and 4th Tee (toughest hole on the course) are so close to the ocean that sea spray can be experienced. The 12th and 13th Holes are equally compelling and situated similarly. No. 12 is an intriguing par-3 that plays some 160 yards with the Pacific glistening in the background. The 13th Hole sports a natural "puka" blowhole  on the left, which can be be put in play by an errant drive. Eyes and ears must be alert  for breaching whales from late November through March.

If you have a spare afternoon, play a round at Kona Country Club.