Round Played: with Brad, Walter, and Ike –
By Wayne Halm –
It was like getting the Band Back Together.
On May 19th 2016 I played the Kukuiula Golf Course with my old buddies Brad Friedman and Walter Gesek. My new buddy Ike Cockett joined us. We played golf – but really the boys were just out having a good time.
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Walter
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Brad
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Ike
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The normally pristine and perfect Kukuiula course had just punched their greens and were letting them grow back in. This could have been a disappointment, but we turned it into a plus.
We briefly considered just getting on the green, adding two strokes, and moving on –but– we were having too much fun laughing at each others putts.
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With the putting competition irrelevant the guys began competing at getting to the greens. The goal was the same but their styles were different.
Brad took the “Big Swing” approach.
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With Walter “control” was everything.
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Ike settled for the “just hit it hard” method.
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Me? Well I was usually happy just to find my ball – and always happy no one else was taking pictures.
The Kukuiula course does not run a beverage cart. Instead they have a couple of unmanned on-course snack bars. Players just take what they want.
Snacks on the counter and beverages in the cooler drawers.
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And they have some very nice treats.
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Very nice indeed.
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The course staff denied it when I asked afterwards. But they snickered during the denial. I didn’t believe a word of it.
I suspect they put out this popcorn snack especially for us.
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I’ve been told that one of the goals of the Kukuiula course design is to instill a sense of “peacefulness” in the players. It accomplishes that goal to a T. The front flows naturally over some gentile hills and up secluded valleys – nothing is forced. It is peaceful. Then the course turns toward the ocean and adds spectacular views to the mix.
The course also has a sneaky side. The bunkers on the left are decoys to hold your attention, the fairways slips quietly off to the right. And a good drive can go into the lake – but who cares, look at that view!
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Out near the ocean Grandstands have been built around the course. They were empty on this day and I was secretly glad no one came out to watch us.
Ike corrected me. The towers are to show prospective buyers the view they will have from the home-sites.
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And what a view it is!
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Even with the punched greens this was a great day on the golf course – we really did laugh. It was the way golf should be.
I think Brad’s face hurt from smiling – of course he did strike the ball better than the rest of us.
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I have a stated 2016 goals of playing golf with 100 people I haven’t met. I can’t count Brad and Walter, we’ve known each other for a while now. But Ike is number 26. Want to be in that number?
Come play golf with me.
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Wayne Walter Brad and Ike
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Aloha Wayne,
Looks like a fun bunch and another great day! Not sure if that popcorn was for you guys…you don’t look grumpy at all 😉
Cheers
Josh
Aloha Josh,
The Kukuiula golf course exists to sell exclusive real estate – and they protect their exclusivity. I have yet to see another player (outside my groups) on the course, it gets very little play. Normally the course condition rivals Augusta and the maintenance work sorely disappointed me. But it was what it was and we decided to have fun anyway – and we succeeded.
A Hui Hou,
Wayne