Monday, February 01, 2010

2010 Sony Open & Mitsubishi Championship

My first event of the year was the Sony open in Honolulu. It's a great way to start the season each year! Beth didn't make the trip this time since she is saving vacation days for Italy. It wasn't as much fun w/o her, but I survived!

John Daly makes his 2010 debut in style.
Davis Love III hits from a bunker on #17
Sony captured some of the action with 3D cameras.
Sunset outside the media center. Tough office that week!
Daly gets his tropical look on.
Ryan Palmer gets the "W".
Trophy shot #1 in the books.


Monday after the Sony, I hiked Diamond head creater in Honolulu. It's a modified mule path that climbs up the inside of the volcanic crater.

The path starts out easy enough.Then you see this...
Then gets steeper and steeper and ends up at this staircase!
The view is worth the hike.



From Diamond Head it was around the island to the north shore.
The surf was up and warnings were all along the beach.
The famed Waimea Bay was cranking.
Guns loaded!
Timing is everything when paddling out.
Crowded lineup.
That might hurt.
Caught inside and going over the falls!
Celebrating a good ride.
Lunch at Shark Cove shrimp shack.
Surfboard art.
Back to Waikiki in time for the sunset.



Tuesday after Sony, I flew over to the Big Island for the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai. Last year, Beth and I were fortunate enough to stay at the Four Seasons which was pretty sweet. This year I was back up at Waikoloa village at the Hilton which we renamed the "Walkalotta" because it's a long hike to get to your room!

This is the lobby "terminal" where you get a boat or train to your room. Seriously!This is one of the boats that cruises around the resort.
The view from my room over the dolphin pool.
The lagoon off the main lobby.One of the many sculptures on the grounds.Curious Koi by the sushi restaurant.Or maybe just hungry!
At the tournament a new trophy was unveiled. I took it out to the 18th tee and shot it with my favorite tee marker on tour!Fred Couples made his Champions Tour debut and played great finishing second.While 2009 Champion Bernhard Langer struggled.Tom Watson got the win. Tom and his wife Hilary celebrate!