• Wailua Golf Course moves on Wailua Golf Course moves on By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island Still one of the best golf courses on Kaua‘i, despite the damage and destruction to the greens and more, the Wailua
• Wailua Golf Course moves on
Wailua Golf Course moves on
By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
Still one of the best golf courses on Kaua‘i, despite the damage and destruction to the greens and more, the Wailua Golf Course seemed to not miss a beat just about a week after the incident.
This past Monday, Nat Childs and I made a trip to the east-side course in hopes of rekindling our golf games (or whatever was left of it) and enjoying the sunny day without the stresses of the everyday workload.
Childs is a former Kaua‘i High School golfer and a junior golfer as well, so a lot was expected of him. The workers at the Wailua Golf Course were as hospitable as always and they made us feel welcome, from the time we took our golf clubs out of my truck, to the time we settled off back into Lihu‘e.
Both of us forgot about the damage to the course and we actually didn’t realize what was done, up until the second tee box and green.
As we cruised up to the third and fourth greens, Nat mentioned that it looked like it took quite an effort to leave such a sad mark. Whatever the reason though, it seems such a childish thing to do and as I looked at the spoiled grass from green to green, I couldn’t even think of any explanation for the stupidity of the individual(s) responsible for the damage.
A letter to The Garden Island’s Forum page on Friday, July 29, from Kapa‘a resident Tom Laverly couldn’t have said it better. Laverly noted that the, “golf course helps build character and respect among all peoples and promotes fellowship — young and old alike.”
Anyone who plays golf knows that it is a tough game that can be very cruel if not respected. That’s why when golfers are on the course, it’s better to enjoy each other’s company, rather than get stressed out about anything else. Laverly’s greatest point though, was mentioning the fact that, “young ones use golfing as a spring-board to further their education with scholarships through college and more.” He went on to write that, “For some, this (scholarships) would be out of reach with high and rising costs of education.”
Rachel Kyono, a recent graduate of Pepperdine University, basically grew up at the Wailua Golf Course. From her junior golf days to to her state champion high school run, Kyono was one of the few Kaua‘i golfers to attain a full scholarship at an NCAA Division I school.
Disrespecting a golf course not only hurts the average golfer, but it takes a toll on youths, who love the game and dream of playing in college, just like Kyono. But despite the discolored greens, the time spent at the Wailua Golf Course on Monday was well worth it.
It’s really unfortunate for the vandals, who tried to disable the course, however, it’s not going to stop me from enjoying one of my favorite golf spots on the island. And as Nat and I settled into the 19th Hole, a family visiting from Arizona almost changed their flight plans, after finishing off 18 holes at Wailua, with nothing but great things to say about the island, but more importantly — the course as well!
