Mauna Lani Resort at Kalahuipua'a

As host to the Senior Skins Game for an unprecedented 11 years, the South Course at Mauna Lani Resort has captured international attention and prestige. With dynamic ocean vistas and tour-quality conditions, the South Course is on a short list of must-plays on the Big Island. But an indelible golf experience only begins with the South, as the North Course is the ultimate complement to the headline-attracting South. In fact, if you take an unofficial poll of the employees at Mauna Lani, they'll tell you the North wins their course of choice in a narrow decision.

Even though the North may not have the Chamber of Commerce views of the Pacific Ocean the South elicits, it does have more twists and turns that a Tom Clancy novel. Numerous times during the round you'll need to fit your ball around and in between trees, lava flows, and water hazards. The par-4, 414 yard 3rd is the course's finest example as you need to do your best Mason Crosby or Ryan Longwell impersonation and drive one through the tree uprights at the 160 mark. What I've determined by playing the North is that you don't need to be right up against the ocean to see staggering pictorials suitable for framing.

The meat of the North is its stern collection of par-3's - all downhill and water-laden. But these four aren't against the Pacific, instead they are fortified by inland water hazards. My personal favorite is the North's penultimate hole, the 128 yard 17th. If you thought the view was incredible from the tee box, wait until you see the view back to the hole from the 18th teeing area. You'll brag to all your mainland friends you played this winner - guaranteed!

The South Course features three holes against the rocky shoreline, and much like Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, the best views come from the two water-lined par-3's. The 228 yard 7th is a bogey waiting to happen as left is wet and right is jail. I saw more double-tiered greens on this course than pars, but that's all part of the challenge. I could only imagine what my score would have been on a windy day. The 15th plays 208 yards from the back tees and is the South's and arguably the Island's "Signature Hole." Mauna Lani's Director of Sales, Ross Birch, hears that assessment all the time. "First of all players are overwhelmed with the raw, untouched beauty of the two holes as they are perched perfectly on a lava rock cliff overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. Once they get past the beauty they are soon awakened with two of the most difficult tee shots any par-3's would require. What a great combination of spectacle and challenge," stated Birch.

The Mauna Lani experience can either begin or end with their great open patio restaurant featuring a killer Chinese menu. Finally, make sure to check out one of the classiest pro shops I've ever seen. In fact, most big-box retail chains don't have the quantity or quality of products found at Mauna Lani. For more information, visit their website at www.maunalani.com.