How I Play Makena South
By Clif Council, PGA

Makena South is considered one of Hawaii's premier championship golf courses. It's located in a secluded dry part of Maui, on the Ulapalkula slopes of the Haleakala Volcano which has been dormant for 170 years. Its rugged lava valley and canyons are the setting for a wonderful golf journey down to the ocean for the closing holes. The Aloha Section PGA plays the Makena South for the Maui Open and Section events and notably, the Western Club Pro Championship was played here two years ago.

I enjoy Makena South for its great ocean and mountain views and the demanding test of golf that Robert Trent Jones Jr. craved out of the lava flows of South Maui. More than the beauty of Makena is the great sunny weather with very little wind. As it's sheltered by the Haleakala crater and the wind comes from the west, it takes a very windy day to reach the Makena/ Wailea area and the golf is calm and tropical. Another reason I play Makena is the very friendly and caring outside service guys and PGA pros inside who make me feel welcome ever time I play or visit.

I played April 6th, Saturday afternoon, with Chuck Cassidy, Webmaster and Activity Director for GOLF-MAUI. We took digital pictures of each Tee Shot, Second Shots 150-200 yards out and behind the Green looking back to the fairway to give you a sense of the shot-making required to play this outstanding Hawaii gem. I played the Tournament tee (black) as they set up for the Maui Open. But I will give you advice from the Championship (blue) men's tees for the bogey golfer who hits it average length.

We hope you enjoy the round.

Biographical Note: Clif Council is a 52-year old PGA Pro who, with wife Martha, owns Maui Golf Shop in Kihei. He's one of the top ten senior golfers in Hawaii and has won four Long Drive contests on Maui in the Senior Division. He averages about 250-275 yards with his Nike driver and hits a 7 iron about 150 yards

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