by Dakota Diaz
HAWAII’S BEST
Golf Magazine Ranks Kaua‘i’s Wailua And Puakea Golf Courses Among
“Top 100 Value Courses You Can Play In The U.S.”
Poipu Bay Golf Course
K
AUA‘I, HAWAI‘I – Kaua‘i’s Wailua Golf Course and Puakea Golf Course have been ranked among the “Top 100 Value Courses You Can Play in the U.S.” by GOLF Magazine. Wailua, ranked No. 78, and Puakea, ranked No. 81, are the only two courses in the state of Hawaii on the Top 100 Value Courses list. GOLF Magazine defines a “value course” as one a golfer can play for $150 or less, in many cases much less. With green fees ranging between $48 to $60 for out-of-state visitors, Wailua Golf Course is one of the best bargains in all of golf. The 18-hole ocean-side course, located on Kaua‘i’s Coconut Coast, was completed in 1961 and was designed by Toyo Shirai. In June of this year, GOLF ranked Wailua No. 26 on their ranking of America’s best municipal courses, saying “Wailua exudes a laidback atmosphere paired with some sneaky bite…” Puakea Golf Course is expected to reopen for public play in midNovember after being closed due to limited play during the Covid-19 pandemic. Set on more than 200 acres of a former sugar cane plantation, Puakea is built amid volcanic cliffs, massive ravines, giant sinkholes and lush tropical foliage. The Robin Nelson-designed course features Jurassic Period-like views of nearby mountains and glimpses of the
18 Golf Vacations • September 2021
nearby Pacific Ocean. Visitor green fees range between $64 and $119. In addition to the outstanding value courses listed by GOLF Magazine, Kaua‘i also features a selection of dazzling resort courses. Princeville Makai Golf Club, Poipu Bay Golf Club and the Ocean Course at Hokuala are all ranked among the top resort courses in the U.S. “We are so pleased with the GOLF Magazine ‘value courses’ ranking because it illustrates the variety of courses we have here on Kaua‘i,” said Sue Kanoho, Executive Director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau. “Visitors can enjoy a bucket-list resort course one day, and then play a top value course the next – it’s part of what makes Kaua‘i the perfect destination for golfers.” Nicknamed the Garden Isle for its lush tropical foliage, waterfalls and ever-present Pacific Ocean scenery, Kaua‘i boasts numerous daily-fee and resort golf courses. The destination is perennially recognized for its beaches, award-winning golf courses, ideal playing weather and stunning natural beauty. For more information on Kaua‘i golf, visit www.gogolfkauai.com. For the latest information on Kaua‘i’s travel guidelines related to the Covid-19 pandemic, please go to: www.kauai.gov/covid-19.
www.golfvacationsmag.com
