No matter what the PGA TOUR season brings, it's going to start in paradise: Kapalua's Plantation Course on the island of Maui. But beautiful beaches, stunning views, great weather, and a spectacular golf course, that's got to get old, right? We asked David Rau, the PGA Head Professional at The Plantation Course, to give us some idea why the world's best players, and every other golfer, should get excited about saying Aloha to his course.
PGA.com: David, once again you are hosting the start of the PGA TOUR. Last year was an incredible year on the TOUR for first-time winners so you are going to have a lot of new faces this year. What advice would you give the newcomers about your course?
Rau: Yes, there are a lot of newcomers this year. I think the biggest thing for the first time players is that this is Hawaiian winter time, which means strong trade winds. You've got to get practice rounds in to learn how these strong winds are going to affect your shots. The greens here are better than ever and that's exciting, but you don't want to get on the wrong side of the hole as you play them, so to control your placement while dealing with these winds, you have got to get some good practice rounds on each of the holes under all types of wind conditions.
PGA.com: You mentioned to me a while back that weather was always one of the great challenges you faced on a day in, day out basis. How did the weather treat you in 2007 and what kind of shape is the course in?
Rau: We have a new Course Superintendent (Juan Gutierrez) who has really taken this course, the greens especially, to an even higher level. We are in outstanding condition and ready to offer a good, fair test to the best players in the world. The weather has been fine. Like I said, it is winter time, and we are feeling those trade winds, but that's part of golf here in Maui. If the winds are calm, the course is ripe for the taking and the scores will reflect that. But if the winds pick up, you'll definitely know it by the scores as well.
PGA.com: "Noi Ka Oi" is an often repeated phrase on the island. What does it mean and how does it apply to golf?
Rau: "Maui Noi Ka Oi" means 'Maui is the best'. We don't just say it, it's the phrase we live by. But it's not stated in a boastful or bragging type of way, it's the level of service that we provide, the standard that we hold ourselves to for all of our guests. When people visit Kapalua, it more than about a great setting or a great golf course, it's about a great experience from beginning to end. We'd rather hear our guests say 'Maui Noi Ka Oi' than to hear us say it, so we work hard to earn the praise.
PGA.com: With all the advantages and benefits, there have to be some challenges to being in Hawaii. Do you feel isolated from the rest of the golf world? Is it hard to get new inventory into the shops? Tell us there are some challenges before we all really hate you for living the dream in paradise.
Rau: I think we probably are the most isolated, in terms of being away from continental land, the most isolated resort in the world. So sure, there are challenges, most notably, in getting guests to come visit. We have to earn their business, maybe more so than other resorts. That goes back to "Maui Noi Ka Oi", give them a reason to come here, to come back, that flying thousands of miles to see us is worth it when you consider how well you are treated once you get here.
PGA.com: You welcome the world's best players every January. The rest of the year, I'm guessing that the course doesn't see the same talent level. People who might golf a couple of times a year might feel compelled to try out your course on their vacation. Do you see some long rounds there?
Rau: Yes, pace of play for any resort course is an issue, but with the winds and weather here, it can certainly become problematic if we don't stay on top of it. But we do. I'd say for The Plantation Course, the pace of play average around 4.5 to 5 hours, again depending on weather and other things such as how we rope the course, things like that. We have marshalls on the course who do a good job of encouraging players to enjoy their rounds but to also be mindful of the pace of play. Often, marshalls will go out and serve as forecaddies for groups that might be lagging a bit to help them get back up to acceptable speed. It's a group effort, from us to the golfers themselves, and it is something we monitor because it helps the overall experience for everyone.
PGA.com: Final question, would you be interested in a work exchange program with a municipal golf course in Anchorage, Alaska?
Rau: [laughter] You know, not at this time. I think I need a little more experience here before I'm ready to try something like that.
