I was over on the west side of the island today to check out Kaanapali after I heard the resort was to be completely out of carts and buried today, according to their sales and marketing manager Melissa Ludiwg. She shooed me away and told me not to bother. Unfortunately, I had to go to Kapalua anyway, so I swung through to see the commotion for myself.
Heading up Kekaa was none other than pro Dave Havens, who was heading out to rescue, of all people, Kaanapali GC GM Ed Kageyama. The carts were having fits today out there and even Ed’s had run out of juice.
The course looked superb as I drove around the first and 18th holes. The resort is hosting a huge contingent of junior golfers this week, and today was their change to practice. Some even hoofed it which was nice to see.
I had hoped to shot all 36 hole there today but was told it would be a bit busy and it certainly was. The vog was compunding the already overcast conditions which made the prospects of shooting all the holes for this website’s slideshows unlikely.
I jetted up to Kapalua where the Bay Course was impossible to shoot given the light, but I tried anyway. Pearl CC teaching pro and former ASPGA event official Shawn McCauley was on the first hole with a group of youngsters also in town for the US Kids event this week. Shawn posed with his students for me and I’ll have that shot as soon as i can get my card downloaded to a machine.
As I made my way around the Bay Course, Mike Jones was wrapping up meetings and promised to meet up with me, and did on the 17th tee, where some of Da Boys were playing Da Game.
Mike and I agreed it wasn’t a good day to take photos, and so we retired for a cold beer to wrap up the day. Ben Hongo was at the base of No. 18 as we drove up, and played a fine wedge shot to about five feet. (Yes, he made the putt.)
I also saw Jerry King blasting his drive on No. 1. ‘Strike a pose why don’t ya’ I yelled. Jerry is my bro from way back. I love that guy.
Some fresh faces at Kapalua and I enjoyed chatting and meeting them. Inside Pineapple Grill, the boys were just coming in after their rounds. “Seven birdies and only 1-under,” one fella mused. Jim St. John, who happened by our area of the bar carded a 75, and given that was from the tips, I’d say that was pretty good for a guy 68-years-young. St. John had nothing but nice things to say about Kapalua.
Mike Jones and I enjoyed our cold beers and then he made off to his family and I hung around for one more beer. A gent from MA was next to me by the name of Glen. He is a snowbird who plays out of The Dunes, and owns at Kaanapali.
He had just gotten into town and was exciting to play tomorrow. “I’m playing with “Poppy (Bob) Sullivan tomorrow,” the 7-handicapper told me. Monty Fitts will be joining us as well. Now there’s a character: Monty Fitts. “He’s not a regular with us,” Glen added, “but he’s playing with us tomorrow.”
The evening glow was warm, and I had along drive home. It was great to hang out for a while on the west side. Lots of people just enjoying life in paradise.
