Kapalua Resort (Plantation Course), Kapalua, HI Course Par Value: 73 Course Yardage: 7,411
The Plantation Curse is a long, hilly, resort track, with very wide fairways. The large Bermuda greens are grainy, fairly slow and tricky to read. The Kona trade wind is nearly always an important factor. The four par-5’s are the 5th, 9th, 15th and the 633 yard 18th, which provides an excellent birdie / eagle opportunity.
The course is home to the Mercedes Championship, traditionally the first tournament of the season. Only winners from the previous season’s US tour qualify to play here. There is no halfway cut and big cheques are guaranteed for all.
GolfBettingpro Notes: Due to the wide fairways, the emphasis is on long hitting rather than accurate driving, with the winner likely to be the player who shoots lowest over the four par fives. Despite a limited field (as low as 30 in 2004) and no cut, some bookmakers still offer each way terms of 1/4 1.2.3.4.5, which is excellent value.