This just in: Golf on the Big Island keeps blood pressure in check

Yesterday, I played the Francis H.I’i Brown South Course at the Mauna Lani Resort on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. It’s where they used to hold the Senior Skins Game with guys like Palmer, Nicklaus, Trevino and Chi Chi.

As the round went on, the views just kept getting better and better until it came to a crescendo on the 15th, a par 3 with a green that jets out into the deep blue Pacific Ocean.

When we got to that hole, there were two groups on the tee in front of us. We would have to wait for a while. For once, I didn’t mind. I could have stayed out there all afternoon.

Yep, golf on the western side of the Big Island is pretty good. Earlier this week, I got to play the Kings ‘ Course and the Beach Course at the Waikoloa Beach Resort in Waikoloa.

The Beach Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., has a pretty special hole on the ocean as well. The Kings’ Course is a cool Tom Weiskopf-Jay Morrish design cut through the lava fields.

The resorts here ? the Hilton Waikoloa Village and Marriott Waikoloa Beach Resort and Spa ? are pretty special, too. But more on that later.

The par-3 15th at Mauna Lani Resort’s South Course is as good as it gets.