Par for Pacific: Tours again open seasons in Hawaii

It seems almost unfair that the all three major U.S. golf tours -- the PGA, the Champions and the LPGA -- would open their tournament seasons in Hawaii. For goodness sake, most of the country is still bundled in front of fireplaces and warming hands in front of heater vents. No one but lunatics and polar bears are playing golf in many states.

But then you turn on the television and see images of swaying palm trees, surfers slicing down the face of ice cream scoop waves and golfers in short sleeves lining up putts against a backdrop of tropical paradise. Ah, Hawaii ... it's lovely one day and spectacular the next. What time does the next flight leave for the islands?

View of No. 18 at Kapalua's Plantation Course

Collectively called the Aloha Season, the PGA Tour kicks off the year's action on Maui with the Mercedes-Benz Championship (Dec. 31-Jan. 6) at Kapalua Resort. Contested over the resort's demanding, often-windy Plantation Course, this elite field consists only of tournament winners from the previous tour season.

One of the most complete golf destinations in Hawaii, in addition to the Plantation Course, Kapalua Resort features the Arnold Palmer-designed Bay Course and the Kapalua Golf Academy, headed by highly respected Jerry King. Beyond the links, Kapalua is also a family-friendly destination, with miles of recently added hiking and biking trails, horseback riding and an exhilarating zip line through the West Maui Mountains. In January 2008, the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, will complete a $160 million "refreshing" that added 107 posh new residential suites for purchase (in case you decide to move in) and a luxurious new spa, in addition to an upgrade of all rooms and common areas.

After the opener, the PGA Tour lads hop the short flight to Oahu to contest the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club near Waikiki (Jan. 7-13), where galleries turn out in big numbers to view the first full-field event of the season. Although Waialae is a private course, players have no shortage of public facilities to select from on Oahu. Among the best resort-style layouts are Ko Olina, Turtle Bay, Koolau and Royal Kunia. My suggestion: If you want to get a taste of where the locals play on Oahu, check out Pearl Country Club, West Loch and Makaha Valley.

In mid-January, when the PGA Tour picks up in California, the Champions Tour takes center stage in Hawaii, inaugurating the 2008 season with the MasterCard Championship on the Big Island at Hualalai Resort (Jan. 14-20). The event is played over the resort's Jack Nicklaus-designed course, a very satisfying layout that makes creative use of the lava formations it's carved out of. Players indulge in one of the best hotels in Hawaii, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, often bringing wives and family. They also enjoy one of the Big Island's finest restaurants, the Hualalai Grille by Alan Wong at the golf clubhouse.

Other nearby Big Island resort courses you should definitely consider adding to your itinerary include Waikoloa Kings' and Beach (36 holes), Mauna Lani North and South (36 holes) and Hapuna.

The Champions Tour continues its swing with the Turtle Bay Championship (Jan. 22-27) at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's North Shore. This full-field event is played on the delightful Arnold Palmer Course, a layout highlighted by its 17th hole, a par-4 that plays overlooking the Pacific. Guests at Turtle Bay can play the Palmer Course or the recently renovated Fazio Course, but they also can choose to relax at the spa or whoop it up with exciting surf lessons.

RC Kapalua Residential Suites

The final Champions Tour event of the Aloha Season is the fun-filled Wendy's Champions Skins Game, now held at the Royal Kaanapali Golf Course on Maui (Feb. 23-24). Contested over the Wailea Gold Course for several years, and at Mauna Lani on the Big Island before that, the event will take place at recently renovated Royal Kaanapali Golf Course for the first time in 2008.

The LPGA kicks off its 2008 season in Hawaii, too, with the SBS Open at Turtle Bay Resort (Feb 11-16); followed the next week with the Fields Open at Ko Olina, another premier Oahu golf resort. The LPGA has added a third Hawaii tour event in October 2008, the LPGA Kapalua Classic, which will be contested over The Bay Course at Kapalua Resort.

Although Kauai -- the Garden Isle -- no longer hosts professional golf (the PGA Grand Slam of Golf was here for many years), it by no means should be overlooked by vacationing golfers. In fact, there are nine courses on Kauai, colorful gardens back-dropped by lush mountain ranges. Kauai's verdant landscape is simply perfect for golf, with three "must-play" courses on the island: Kauai Lagoons Golf Club's Kiele Course, Princeville Prince and Poipu Bay.

This year, when you've had enough of winter's chill, do as the golf pros do: Head to Hawaii and get your par for the Pacific.