Where in the World Is Cori Brett?
January/February 2013
Fazio Course Hole #6
Horses snorted in protest as the group of riders reined in abruptly, in deference to our foursome on the tee box. Our equine audience stayed silent, observing respectful golf etiquette. No surprise really, all sorts of lifestyles seem to comfortably coexist on Oahu’s famed North Shore.
About an hour’s drive from Waikiki, Oahu turns “country.” The road narrows past peaceful farmland and slows down for funky beach towns like Hale’iwa. During winter’s high surf months, the world’s best surfers compete on monster waves along the “seven mile miracle.” Waimea Bay and Banzai Pipeline are just as daunting today as when the Beach Boys sang their praises in the 60’s.
The horses trotted away after we teed off. We were playing the Fazio Course at Turtle Bay Resort. It’s the only destination resort on the North Shore. Turtle Bay consists of more than 800 acres that run deep into lush forests of ironwood trees and boasts five miles of sandy beach front. The luxury resort features nearly 400 guest rooms, two championship golf courses and a complete spa/fitness center. www.turtlebayresort.com
George Fazio designed the course in 1972. It’s the resort’s original course and is still holding its own some 40 years later. We found it straightforward and fun to play, especially for players who prefer to walk not ride. Fairways are flat and fairly wide, but we had to be accurate coming into the greens, which tend to be small and well bunkered. Distances range from 5,354 yards to 6,769 yards. Two of the three sets of tees are rated for women.
Typical of the area, winds came up in the afternoon and affected our club selection at both courses. Overall, Turtle Bay has a pleasantly remote feel to it. There’s no housing or construction noise to distract from golf, even in the distance. The courses are in good condition and welcoming, with lush plants and mature trees that shade tee boxes.
The Fazio Course is the more forgiving of the two courses and proved to be a good warm up round for the Palmer Course. Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay designed The Palmer, which opened in 1992. It earned top ratings from the beginning. The Palmer Course is longer, at 7,218 yards, and has a majestic feel, with narrower fairways bordered by tropical jungle. It’s definitely more challenging. Signature hole no. 17 climbs to a green that is just steps away from the ocean. Two of the five tee boxes are rated for women.
Palmer Course #17
Both courses operate out of the same comfortable clubhouse, just a short walk from the resort’s impressive entrance. Framed by blue seas, the light and airy lobby has an inviting beach house feel. The resort keeps getting better as renovations continue through 2013, fortunately with little guest disturbance. Guest room upgrades are proceeding one wing at a time, featuring an ocean theme that includes walk in natural stone showers. The resort’s Spa Luana was doubled in size to include a movement studio, all new fitness equipment, expanded salon area and new open air treatment rooms.
Palmer Course #18
Trust a “kama’aina” (Hawaii resident) to show you the best places. One day after golf, friends invited me to come along to the “shrimp trucks.” Now that’s my new favorite 19th Hole! Driving past the resort about ten minutes, we came to “Giovanni’s Original White Shrimp Truck,” off the side of the road in a dirt parking lot, just one truck of many along the highway. Shrimp scampi drenched in garlic and butter, with a scoop of white rice, were so yummy I didn’t mind the mess of peeling the shrimp. Like the chickens scratching around under the picnic table, it was all part of the atmosphere. The old white truck, permanently parked and covered with graffiti, is another North Shore legend.
You can make golf at Turtle Bay a day trip by continuing past the shrimp trucks along the windward coast of Oahu back to Waikiki. Along the way, be sure to stop at the Pali Lookout to see the incredible view of the island from its 1,000 foot elevation.
Or do as the kama’ainas do and stay longer on the North Shore, settling into its rhythms. Laid back, rural and funky all at the same time, the North Shore makes the perfect staycation.
“Escape with Cori” on assignment to exotic and fun golf destinations. First-hand impressions from an experienced golf travel writer and AWGA member. www.coribrett.com. Copyright Cori Brett 2013 – do not copy or cite in whole or in part without permission.
