Kapalua's Plantation course getting a major facelift, closing for about 9 months

[Jimmy Chandler]

From Joe Passov on Golf.com:

Maui's wow-wee layout, the Plantation course at Kapalua Resort, is shutting down for repairs. The expected closing date is February 2019. Host venue for the PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament of Champions since 1999 and ranked No. 24 in GOLF Magazine's Top 100 Courses You Can Play, Plantation is a wildly undulating, 27-year-old creation from Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Coore and Crenshaw will oversee the enhancement project, in conjunction with Troon's (the management company) design and agronomy team. Maui resident and long-time broadcaster Mark Rolfing will also assist.


Among the refinements will be resurfacing every green with Tif Eagle Bermuda, renovating every bunker, re-grassing tees, fairways and roughs with Celebration Bermuda turf and adding several new tournament tees and forward tees. Several bunkers will be relocated as well.

Read full article (not very long), with quotes from Coore: http://www.golf.com/courses-and-travel/2018/03/15/kapaluas-plantation-course-close-major-facelift

[Jeff Schley]

What exactly will Rolfing be doing?

Really enjoy the Plantation course as I played it twice back in the early 2000's.  Stunning views and large undulation changes.  Almost had a hole in one on the #8 with rented clubs from 203 and I wasn't sure where it ended up but was like 6 inches!  Damn so close.

[Jason Topp]

It will be interesting to see what they do with the tees.  The trade winds do not seem to be as reliable as they once were.

[Brad Tufts]

I last played it in November 2016, and I loved what they did with #7.  Before now, you wouldn't even assume there was a ravine right of the hole, and now it dominates the view from the tee. 

I agree that it tends to play soft when it's designed to play firm, and the mottled greens look during the tourney must have horrified the marketeers.

Sounds like some solid modifications though.

[Matthew Rose]

Every time I've been there it was absolutely soaking wet. It was usually February or March so it was only a month or so after the tournament so it was otherwise in great shape. It just played like a real long, hard slog. I was actually kind of disappointed..... but I know I probably didn't get the best experience due to said moisture.

#8 was one of my favorite holes too; that's a fun shot to hit.

[John Kavanaugh]

Has Bill Shultz ever played the course? e aho wau e hānai i kahi pīpī māne ma mua o ke pāʻaniʻana i kahi papa polo pōʻaleʻa

[Andy Stamm]

It will be interesting to see what they do with the tees.  The trade winds do not seem to be as reliable as they once were.

Maybe that's true, strange weather generally seems a bit more common. But big picture the trades are still very consistent.

[Ira Fishman]

Most overrated course that I have played. If you want Five hours (and hard to believe it would be a faster round on the usual day) of the great views, grab a table in the restaurant and order an afternoon of food and drink.


Ira

[Jeff Evagues]

Most overrated course that I have played. If you want Five hours (and hard to believe it would be a faster round on the usual day) of the great views, grab a table in the restaurant and order an afternoon of food and drink.


Ira

I have to respectfully disagree. Its one of my favorites and I've played it in 3 1/2 hours.

[Evan_Green]

Most overrated course that I have played. If you want Five hours (and hard to believe it would be a faster round on the usual day) of the great views, grab a table in the restaurant and order an afternoon of food and drink.


Ira

Ira - Other than the pace of play, why do you feel its overrated?

[Peter Flory]

I was there in 2004 and followed a 15 year old Michelle Wie in the pro-am.  I still remember several shots that she hit because they were not at all out of place with some of the tour players there.   

[Ira Fishman]

Most overrated course that I have played. If you want Five hours (and hard to believe it would be a faster round on the usual day) of the great views, grab a table in the restaurant and order an afternoon of food and drink.


Ira

Ira - Other than the pace of play, why do you feel its overrated?

Evan,


I think that the land is too severe to build a course that has the lofty reputation of Kapulua. Too many holes felt like connector holes, particularly what I felt was a slog up the hill to get to 17. Some of the holes seemed out of character such as 14. I generally enjoy mountain courses even though a cart may be necessary, but Kapulua did not seem as cohesive as some of the others. On the other hand, the green complexes are very good. It is just relative to its reputation, I found it overrated putting aside the pace of play and high cost.


Ira