Mr. Seth Raynor, world famous golf architect, and his associate, Mr. Charles Banks, designed and supervised the building of Waialae. Their outstanding work is reflected on many of our holes.
INTRODUCTION
The Waialae Country Club is proud to have been selected as a Platinum Club of America, reflecting our commitment to excellence in private club standards. This recognition underscores our achievement in meeting the seven critical criteria set by the program.
Firstly, Waialae Country Club enjoys Universal Recognition, being highly esteemed within our community Our Excellence in Amenities and Facilities is evident in our meticulously maintained grounds and top-tier offerings We pride ourselves on the Caliber of Staff and Professional Service Levels, with dedicated personnel providing exceptional service
Our membership reflects the Quality and Commitment of Members, fostering a vibrant and engaged community With Governance and Prudent Fiscal Management, we maintain sound financial and administrative practices, ensuring the club’s long-term success We continuously Adapt to Changing Times, innovating and responding to trends and member needs. Lastly, the Overall Experience at Waialae Country Club guarantees unparalleled member satisfaction and a holistic, exceptional experience.
Our inclusion in the Platinum Clubs of America is a testament to our unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest standards in private club excellence.
UNIVERSAL RECOGNITION
Platinum Club of America
Recognized as a Platinum Club of America, Waialae Country Club reflects its status among the top 5% of private clubs in the country
Honorable Mention Platinum Club of the World
Acknowledged as an Honorable Mention Platinum Club of the World, Waialae demonstrates a commitment to world-class facilities and services.
Distinguished Clubs – ELITE Status
Achieving ELITE Status among Distinguished Clubs, Waialae exhibits superior quality in all aspects of club operations
PGA TOUR Host – Sony Open in Hawaii
Hosting the Sony Open in Hawaii, a premier PGA TOUR event televised in 213 countries and territories, Waialae attracts a global audience with viewers spending 9 1 million hours tuned in
A Legacy of Excellence
Hosting 59 consecutive PGA TOUR events, Waialae is the third longest-running host course on the PGA TOUR.
Iconic Waialae "W" Palm Trees
Adorned with the iconic Waialae “W” palm trees, the course symbolizes the club's unique character and charm
Designed by Seth Raynor
Designed by renowned architect Seth Raynor, Waialae's golf course challenges and delights golfers of all skill levels
Prime Location
Situated on prized ocean-front land in the heart of Honolulu, just three miles from Waikiki, Waialae offers breathtaking views and an unparalleled setting.
UNIVERSAL RECOGNITION
PGA TOUR
PGA TOUR Host – Sony Open in Hawaii
Hosting the Sony Open in Hawaii, a premier PGA TOUR event televised in 213 countries and territories, Waialae attracts a global audience with viewers spending 9 1 million hours tuned in Hosting 59 consecutive PGA TOUR events, Waialae is the third longest-running host course on the PGA TOUR
Excellence in Amenities and Facilities
Waialae Country Club sits on some of the most prized and valuable land in the world, offering direct beach and ocean access. Members have access to club-provided equipment for beachside activities, including kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and outrigger canoes
The club features a state-of-the-art fitness center with an expansive range of equipment, indoor/outdoor flexibility, panoramic ocean and mountain views, three multipurpose wellness rooms, a group fitness and movement studio, and robust group fitness instruction with over 120 sessions per month The fitness center also includes dedicated, fully appointed locker room facilities
Mr. Seth Raynor, world famous golf architect, and his associate, Mr. Charles Banks, designed and supervised the building of Waialae. Their outstanding work is reflected on many of our holes.
EXCELLENCE IN AMENITIES AND FACILITIES
GOLF FACILITIES
Featuring - PGA TOUR caliber Championship Golf Course
The Waialae Country Club features a PGA TOUR caliber championship golf course, complemented by expansive practice facilities, including a natural and synthetic turf driving range, a practice putting green, chipping green, and bunker Members have access to TrackMan radar launch monitors and a 2,500 square foot, Top 100 Golf Shop that offers onsite golf club repair services Additionally, the club boasts a state-of-the-art golf cart GPS system to enhance the golfing experience
Waialae Country Club has hosted 59 consecutive PGA TOUR events, making it the third longestrunning host course on the PGA TOUR
Pool and Tennis
For racquet sports enthusiasts, Waialae features three lighted synthetic turf tennis courts, two pickleball courts with adjacent lounge areas, and a racquet sports pro shop stocked with the latest equipment Onsite tennis equipment repair services and Playmate tennis and pickleball ball machines are also available The newly renovated locker rooms are fully appointed and include steam rooms and saunas
Clubhouse and Dining
The clubhouse is equipped with a state-of-the-art audio-visual system, ensuring that members and guests enjoy top-notch sound and video quality for events and gatherings. It offers six diverse dining outlets, five of which provide stunning oceanfront views, and four featuring open-air seating to take full advantage of the beautiful surroundings.
The club's unmistakable classical Hawaiian theme is evident throughout, with Hawaiian room names that pay homage to the local culture, prized Hawaiian art adorning the walls, and custom carpeting designed to resemble the natural lava flow of the islands The interior of the clubhouse is thoughtfully crafted using natural Hawaiian wood, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that reflects the rich heritage and beauty of Hawaii
The club's unmistakable classical Hawaiian theme is evident throughout, with Hawaiian room names that pay homage to the local culture, prized Hawaiian art adorning the walls, and custom carpeting designed to resemble the natural lava flow of the islands.
Caliber of Staff and Professional Service Levels
Waialae Country Club boasts a dedicated team, including 12 employees with over 30 years of tenure The average employee tenure is nine years, demonstrating the club's commitment to retaining experienced staff The club employs 180 year-round employees and up to 70 trained seasonal employees Additionally, multiple department heads have been recognized with the Distinguished Achievement in Leadership award by BoardRoom Magazine, highlighting their exceptional leadership and service.
TENNIS AND FITNESS CERTIFICATIONS
The Director of Fitness at Waialae Country Club holds multiple certifications, including Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Certified Functional Aging Specialist (CFAS), and Certified in Applied Functional Science (CAFS) They are also an ASFA (American Sports & Fitness Association) Health & Wellness Coach and have achieved TPI Level 1 certification Additionally, they possess certifications in TRX, kettlebell, and Bosu ball training Additionally, our tennis program includes:
Three USPTA Elite Professionals
Two PPR Certified Pickleball Professionals
Five Certified Lifeguards
Ten Certified Personal Trainers
Two Certified Massage Therapists
CLUBHOUSE AND DINING CERTIFICATIONS
Multiple department heads have been recognized with the Distinguished Achievement in Leadership award by BoardRoom Magazine The General Manager is a Certified Club Manager and PGA Professional, and the CFO is a Certified Public Accountant. The staff also includes one Court of Masters Certified Sommelier and one Court of Masters
Advanced Sommelier The Pastry Department features a full-time Pastry Chef, ensuring top-tier culinary offerings
Engagement and Commitment of Membership
Waialae Country Club boasts very low attrition, just 1 6% over the past 12 months, with membership strictly by invitation to ensure the highest caliber of member applicants
Each applicant must be recommended by at least six active members and attend at least two in-person interviews with the membership committee. Members must progress through membership classification ranks, with promotion to higher classifications being a privilege.
The private Membership Committee operates without Board of Directors' representation, and sponsoring members are held accountable for their referrals throughout their membership Tenured members act as stewards of history and tradition through a History Committee, and they plan, organize, privately fund, and host multiple employee appreciation events annually
The club hosts four annual Major Tournaments that have been running for over 40 years Waialae truly embodies ‘ohana, where members and employees are a family, fostering a deeply rooted culture of mutual respect
The club enjoys an extensive multi-year waitlist for entry, and professional member-created artwork is displayed in the clubhouse.
Waialae Country Club - The Pavilion interior - 1927
The original home of Waialae Country Club - the former Paul Isenberg garage
WAIALAE
The Book
Our members retain a deep appreciation for our rich history. The desire to honor our history and traditions prompted the creation and publication of a beautiful 266 page book named Waialae for our members to enjoy. The Foreword beautifully states:
“Waialae Country Club’s Committee on club History is pleased to present this book as we approach the hundredth-year anniversary of our founding The golf course and various club facilities are situated on the expanse of beach upon which Kamehameha the Great sent ashore a fleet of war canoes carrying 10,000 warriors to launch the most famous land battle of Hawaii history.
Hawaii has dramatically changed and grown since the landing of Kamehameha’s warriors in 1795 and Waialae Country Club’s founding in 1927, and throughout its history the club has embraced change and innovation
Some may wonder whether the real story of WCC is about the country club or whether it is more about the lives of the club’s members and the larger communities and worlds from which they come The answer is both This book’s purpose is not just to describe the championship golf course and club facilities, but also to highlight our members past and present, as well as our wonderful staff, who have made and continue to make WCC such a special place. We hope this book will reveal the great beauty of Waialae, where today’s and tomorrow’s members will continue to enjoy each other’s company and make history.”
RICH HISTORY
Ground Breaking for the new Clubhouse - 1971
Established in 1927, the course's initial design was by Seth Raynor with changes by Robert Trent Jones, Desmond Muirhead, Rick Smith and most recently Tom Doak. Now a mature, lushly landscaped, and player-friendly championship course, Waialae features fairways lined with stands of coconut, monkey pod and kiawe trees and 83 strategically place bunkers that can be in play for any golfer.
Governance and Prudent Fiscal Management
Waialae Country Club has an Internal Auditor Officer role specifically designed to support management and ensure financial integrity. The club undergoes an extensive annual audit, consistently receiving a clean opinion, which underscores its commitment to transparency and accountability.
To further ensure financial stability, an extensive capital reserve study and modeling are conducted by Club Benchmarking, affirming that the club is healthy with strong reserves set aside for large anticipated expenditures
The board of directors has a robust succession plan in place, naming the President Elect over a year in advance to ensure smooth leadership transitions Additionally, the board participates in annual retreats led by Kurt Kuebler of Kopplin, Kuebler, & Wallace, focusing on strategic planning and governance best practices
Waialae Country Club is proud to be the only private club and golf course to receive the Hawaii Green Business Award, a testament to its commitment to environmental sustainability. The club has implemented an impressive 1,600-panel solar system, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and showcasing its dedication to green initiatives.
Adapting to Changing Times
Waialae Country Club has a loyal non-resident membership, many of whom reside throughout Asia To better connect with these members, who may only seldom visit Honolulu, the club began hosting an overseas social event in 2024
The inaugural event took place in May 2024 at the Tokyo American Club in Tokyo, Japan, and saw over 100 members in attendance. As the member demographic evolves, Waialae Country Club continues to adapt by offering family-oriented facilities and programming, including member-family golf events and youth-focused sports, arts, and social activities.
The ‘Ohana ‘Ai Ku series of events, meaning "Families eat together," draws in hundreds of participants weekly Parents and grandparents join their children for fun on Friday evenings throughout family dinner and different ac movies each week
The club is transitioning maintenance equipment to ele models and has installed 1,60 clean energy Member commu electronic, with electronic d paper collateral material To membership, the club offers services, has expanded its h menu offerings, and includes each menu item.
Waialae Country Club provid class offering, including Qi Go Senior Fitness, Masters Sw Ballroom Dancing The club for all activities and promote with over 30% of rounds playe
Overall Experience
Waialae Country Club offers a world-class experience where member recognition and preferences are a priority
The Aloha Spirit runs deep at Waialae, featuring a natural sense of community, family, and mutual respect The warm and genuine Hawaiian hospitality is always on display Special requests and tailored experiences are a benefit of membership, and we accommodate members wherever possible and equitable. Rich in history and tradition, our club has developed over the past 97 years. Reflecting Hawaii's melting pot of cultures, Waialae boasts a friendly, welcoming, and highly inclusive atmosphere for all backgrounds.
Our staff always go above and beyond for our members, with every employee empowered to make a $200 decision at any time, no questions asked. An employee may provide a member with a brand new putter, bottle of champagne, a new polo shirt, a gift card to a restaurant, or anything else up to $200, solely at their discretion Our members reciprocate this spirit, with Membership Secretary Jessica Eaton recently stating, “the next best thing to being a member at Waialae is working here!”
