Talk Story #9 – Waialae Country Club and the Sony Open

The Waialae-Kahala coastline, the Golf course, residential areas, and Ko’olau range

Once again, Hawaii is gaining major global attention as the Sony Open attracts the world’s greatest golf professionals to the Waialae Golf Course and Country Club along with showing Hawaii’s natural beauty. This first full-field tournament of the 2011 season is televised all over the world, and through the past years has emerged as a week of great entertaining activities for all the community, participants, and spectators while also becoming the foremost leader in charitable giving in the state!

Historically, the story of Hawaii’s premier course and club is an interesting one. The territory of Hawaii was a paradise to dream about, but still only a far-away tropical place, visited by a few. As part of a grand promotional program to develop luxury travel trade to Hawaii, Matson Navigation Co. built the luxury passenger liner, Malolo, as part of this program.

Lands were leased from the Bernice P. Bishop Estate and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Waialae Golf Course were built by the Territorial Hotel Company with both opening on February 1, 1927. The original clubhouse was actually an extended part of the Paul Isenberg home on the beach and called “The Pavilion.” A natural stream and a lake come into play on a number of holes, while each hole was named in Hawaiian with an English translation available.

In 1930, a group of Waialae players formed a private club within the Waialae Golf Club, which they called Waialae Country Club. It is a fascinating blend of WWII and the military involvement, several bad fires, and the rebuilding, plus changes in land ownership. IE: in the 1960’s, Bishop Estate withdrew acreage where the 7th hole and much of the 6th hole were located for a new subdivision, this required a realignment of the 5th, 6th, and 7th holes. The 7th hole had been made to run toward Diamond Head, alongside the beach, but as a result, the course was relocated inland!

Earlier version of Waialae Golf Course

The next decades had more dramatic changes with tremendous growth on Oahu. Popular Hawaii golf and beach residential areas such as Waialae and Kahala were and are, very much in demand. I have linked a small gallery of available residences in those areas for your viewing. Black Point is another prime area jutting out under the shadow of Diamond Head.

The excitement of the yearly Championship Sony Open will only be for a short while, but the draw of Hawaii will continue. So, if it is golf or beach, or just plain relaxing, stay and enjoy the Hawaii lifestyle with the best of the best! Let’s “Talk Story” on what you are desiring. I look forward to it. Aloha for now!

Note: In Hawaii, there is often a gathering of family and friends, and in a casual way stories are told of that days happenings, or past events. We call it “Talk Story.” My continued series will be about different places around Oahu with a bit of their history, and the many opportunities for you today. I would love to hear about your personal Hawaii memories to share, perhaps during the territorial days, like I was, growing up out Koko Head way. Hawaii is a special place and so are the people. Follow me as we discover a lifestyle best suited for YOU. Whether it is a new military move, a casual beach house, a downsized retirement home, a golf course fronted resort home-away-from-home, a grand residence with superb view, or a high rise condominium, the choices and Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers’ resources are many. Contact me with your interests, or let’s just “Talk Story!”