Round Played: with Lisa Vlooswyk –
By Wayne Halm –
What can I say about playing with a Pro … prepare to be humbled.
On February 8th 2017 I played the Ocean Course at Hokuala with my old friend Lisa Vlooswyk from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Her husband, Anton, and her son, Luke, joined us.
(Click on the pictures for a larger view – then use the browser ‘back’ button.)
Anton Luke and Lisa
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Lisa is a seven-time Canadian Long Drive Champion and has been featured on the cover of Golf Tips Magazine. It is an honor to play golf with her. An honor but humbling … she is nick-named “Lisa Longball” for a reason. For more about Lisa read her website
The best I could hope for during this round was that my second shot go past her drive. I’m happy to say that mine did … well there was that time my drive plugged in a fairway bunker, but we are not going to talk about that.
If you are going to challenge a pro head to head, the beautiful Ocean Course at Hokuala is a mighty fine place to do it.
The 18th green and fairway
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I thank Fran Roach (General Manager) and Kellie Hines (Head Golf Professional) for allowing me to have this experience.
Lisa and Kellie
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On the course Lisa hit her drives literally farther than I could see the ball. I needed help.
Fortunately we also had younger eyes tracking her ball
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Remember that plugged drive I mentioned earlier? Well we are going to talk about it … it happened on the third hole.
Not only did I aim the drive poorly … I didn’t even aim the camera well enough to catch the ball. I was reminded why this is the number 1 handicapped hole.
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My dreams of hitting the ball as far as Lisa aside, we were having a great time. And yes, we paused on the 5th tee for pictures … it’s not mandatory, but you “just have to”.
Wayne Anton and Luke
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I learned to like par 3s … they were my only chance to hit a better tee shot than Lisa.
But even here she was up to the challenge
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An unexpected opportunity in the “Lisa and Wayne Challenge” came to me on the 9th hole. I hit a solid drive, of course Lisa’s drive was still rising when it passed mine … but the wind pushed it out over a lake. It looked like “My time to shine!”
But NO! That is Lisa’s ball at the base of the tree and she advanced it well down the fairway. (Kellie probably heard us laughing from the clubhouse.) I will forever think of that new little land feature as “Lisa’s Point”.
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The opportunity on 9 slipped away. But I was not done – oh no, not me, not by a long shot. I again challenged Lisa on the par3 14th hole. There I found out that not only can Lisa drive the ball … she can putt too.
Lisa and Wayne on the 14th tee
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Anton Luke and Lisa celebrating her putt
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We had a lot of fun (way more laughs than putts). Lisa played well and thoroughly kicked my butt. But don’t think she won every hole.
Here is our group’s only par shooter on the tricky 16th hole
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This was another fantastic day on a golf course. We all had great shots and we all had “learning opportunities”. But more importantly we had high-fives, atta-boys, teases, and laughs – lots of laughs. It was fun … it was the way golf should be.
Our round was over … but our day wasn’t. Kellie Hines and the Ocean Course at Hokuala was putting on a clinic for the high school golf teams. Lisa took time to talk with them – it’s just the way she is.
As a motivational speaker Lisa was in her element.
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And you bet I took a group photo … there are likely some future pro-players in this picture.
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And if you can believe it, my day got even better. Callaway golf is one of Lisa’s sponsors … and I received a new cap out of the deal.
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I have set a 2017 goal of playing golf with 100 people that I haven’t met. I can’t count Lisa, Anton, and Luke, I already knew them, so the number still stands at 1. Want to be in that number …
Come play golf with me.
The Hokuala Golf Club 808-241-6000 www.hokualakauai.com
Lisa and I had played before … click here to read my blog post about that round
Return to Golfing on Kauai Home Page and read about other rounds played
Golfing on Kauai 
Wayne, it’s good for all of us to be humbled now and then. But how cool for you!
Brian
Aloha Brian,
Yes, I am officially humbled … again. But it was cool and just plain fun. Lisa and her family are a delight to be around.
A Hui Hou,
Wayne
Wayne
That is awesome. Lisa is a very popular golfer and is doing great things for golf. What a great opportunity to play golf with her and her family. Your account of the round was very entertaining.
Cheers
Jim
Aloha Jim,
Thank you, it was an awesome round. Lisa and I both think golf should be fun .. and we succeeded in that. But my day just got better. Watching her work with the golf teams was wonderful. Lisa is simply a joy to be around.
A Hui Hou,
Wayne
Oh my Wayne what a wonderful account of your Head to Head with Lisa. As I am slightly biased I had goosebumps as I read your play by play. You my dear Wayne are very special to this family as well.
Excellent writing and photos and I hope I am able to continue to receive your blog.
Suzanne
Aloha Suzanne,
Thank you – thank you – thank you … you girl are a writers dream! As you can tell, I’m a bit biased also. I always have such fun with Lisa, Anton, and Luke. And yes, please keep reading.
A Hui Hou,
Wayne
Aloha Wayne,
That’s fantastic you got to play with Lisa again! Entertaining account of your round as always buddy. I haven’t had the chance to meet Lisa yet, but being from Calgary as well, I know all about her and we’ve interacted on social media before. She’s also been posting some great photos of Kauai and Koloa Landing as well, which brings back some fantastic memories.
Cheers
Josh
Aloha Josh,
Thank you. Lisa and I do have a ridiculous amount of fun. She knows of you from social media … my advice, find a way to play golf with her.
A Hui Hou,
Wayne
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