Alright so I gotta share this Hawaii golf hunt ’cause man, tourist sites sure don’t make it easy. Wanted simple answers – where do the big tournaments actually happen?
Where I Stumbled First
Started lazy, right? Typed “big golf tournaments Hawaii” straight into the search bar. Got flooded. Ads for resorts, “top 10 courses” lists… but nada on actual tournament venues. Even the official PGA site felt like digging through thick bushes just to find locations. Seriously annoying.
Got desperate. Searched “Hawaii PGA Tour events 2024”. Scrolled past more fluff. Finally saw it: the Sony Open in Hawaii. Clicked. Held at… Waialae Country Club, right there in Honolulu. Okay! One down. Felt like a small win.
Hitting Waialae (Info, Not the Course)
Figured Waialae must be a big deal if they host the Sony. Dug deeper. Turns out it’s an old-school place, classic course since the 1920s. Pros play there every January like clockwork. Picture coconut trees lining the fairways – classic Hawaii golf vibe. Good info, but needed more venues.
Tracking Down the Other Big Names
Knew there had to be another major one early in the year. Remembered that PGA season kicks off hard in Hawaii. After more clicking and dodging sponsored links, found it: the Tournament of Champions. Different vibe. Played at Kapalua Resort over on Maui.
- Plantation Course, Kapalua: Looks wild. Huge rolling hills, those wide-open ocean views everyone posts pics of. Course is built right on the side of a volcano? Crazy.
- Champions-only: Yeah, only guys who won the previous year get in. Elite stuff.
- Janurary: Right after New Year’s, kicking things off with a bang.
Also stumbled mention of the Lotte Championship on Oahu. That’s the big LPGA stop in Hawaii. They rotate courses though. Saw Ko Olina mentioned recently. Tricky!
Why Bother? My “Aha” (or Duh) Moment
Truth? My buddy Dave planning this insanely expensive golf trip with his wife. Kept asking “where do the pros play?” Didn’t wanna sound dumb saying Maui or Big Island have spots but not sure which tournaments hit where. Wasted my time digging so he looks good! Typical. Shoulda just sent him a link… but then I wouldn’t have this to rant about. Anyway, if you hear “golf tournament Hawaii,” 99% chance it’s Kapalua early January (Tournament of Champs) or Waialae mid-January (Sony Open). Those are the heavy hitters everyone talks about. Done.
