Puakea Golf Course

Puakea Golf Course, is a Public, 18 hole golf course located in Lihue, Hawaii.

Originally named Puakea at Grove Farm for the sugar plantation that once stood on the site, the course was started in 1990-91 when 10 holes were designed by architect Robin Nelson.

The finished 10 holes remained closed while the owners waited, expecting to finish the course. But in 1997, the 10 were opened by themselves and play began. Sports Illustrated even named the 10 hole course one of the best 9-hole courses in the United States.

In the late 1990s (how do you spell Internet Boom) the golf course, plus an adjoining residential development, shopping center site and other property, were sold to Steve Case, a co-founder of AOL and a native of Honolulu.

Architect Robin Nelson was brought back to finish the eight remaining holes of this par-72, 6,900 yard course. The completed 18 hole Puakea Golf Course opened in 2003.

Nelson has said that the delay in building the final holes plus the ability to play the original holes a multitude of times, allowed him to tweak everthing in the final design.

The new holes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 and 14, also provide some ocean views and feature three new lakes and a stream. The water helps create great scenery, but some of the best backdrops are along holes next to the emerald green slopes of the famous Ha'upu Ridge. This is also the area where Steven Spielberg filmed Jurassic Park. Interspersed among the golf holes are tracts of land still used to grow coffee, corn, taro and papayas.

The course starts on the fringes of the back parking lot of the shopping center. Once you get passed this intrusion on great golf space, the course becomes one of great natural beauty.

Many say the, the original 10 holes: 6-8, 11-13, and 14-18 are probably the jewels of the course. On the dramatic par-3 No. 6. you launch over the trees and a pond to the green. Although only 176 yards from the back tees and 113 from the forward this can be an intimidating hole, but when done correctly, makes you feel rewarded.

The course has a nice variety of holes making for a great golf game and a chance to use all of your clubs.

Puakea plays through spectacular mountainous terrain and around the deep ravines and streams characteristic of Kauai Island. Each hole is dramatic, from the rolling fairways and impressive elevation changes to the large, challenging greens guarded by menacing bunkers. Island flora and fauna abound throughout the course and give a sense that Puakea Golf Course is in harmony with nature. The course plays from 5,225 to 6,954-yards and there are four sets of tees to satisfy all skill levels.