Leader of the Pac
Charles R. Frazier was on a year-long trip around the world in the early 1920s when he received the cable that would forever change the course of his life. The message was short, “You can have the property, Charlie,” but it was those six words that would set the wheels in motion for creating one of the most beloved courses of all time.
Since its opening in 1926, the Mid Pacific Country Club—better known as simply “Mid-Pac”—has played host to some of golf’s most prestigious tournaments, namely the Mid-Pacific Open and the Jennie K. Wilson Invitational, and has become a must-play for visiting celebrities and heads of state— former President Barack Obama is a recent member. Nestled within 163 acres at the foothills of Ka‘iwi Ridge with scenic views of the Pacific Ocean, the course is famous for its lush landscaping among the mountains and coastline of O‘ahu’s windward side, but the setting was quite different when Frazier first laid eyes on the property.
Back then, a small fishing shack was among the only structures on the treeless terrain, where windswept plains and sparse fields of watermelon filled the space between Kailua and Waimanalo beaches. The land was all but barren, and yet, an advertising man by trade, Frazier couldn’t help but imagine the potential that lay within those acres. He purchased the land for a little more than $100,000 from Harold Kainalu Long Castle and renamed the land Lanikai (heavenly sea) with plans to develop a residential community that had a world-class golf course at its core.
It was Frazier’s luck that Princeton-educated golf course architect Seth Raynor was currently on the island before construction of the site had begun in 1925. Raynor was in town to lay out the Kahala links (now the Waialae Country Club) but agreed to join Frazier for a view of the tract of land that was proposed as the site for the golf course. Raynor’s reaction was quick and excited, where he was quoted in the January 23, 1927 issue of The Honolulu Advertiser saying, “There is no doubt in my mind but that a course of championship length can be laid out here that will easily rank among the best five or six in the United States.”
Along with Raynor—who would now be designing the course for Lanikai—Frazier recruited 65 Honolulu businessmen to commit to the project and set to work announcing his plans for the community. It was his printed prospectus that many believe helped sell off all of the lots within Lanikai before they even went to market, where he described his vision with a poetic flair that few could resist.
In the west rises the hill range, breeze-swept and cool; purple and mauve and amethyst in the morning sun; golden and emerald at noon; shading again to purple in the evening shadows and under the moon. This range, crescent formed, its sharp cusps dipping into the sea, holds within its two fingers the gently sloping, sandy terrain that is the demesne of Lanikai. . . . In the valley behind Lanikai, an 18-hole golf course, 6,400 yards in length, was laid out recently by the late Seth Raynor, world famous golf architect, for the Kailua Country Club [as Mid-Pacific was briefly and initially known]. The course sweeps around the hills, crosses Kaelepulu stream twice, approaches a picturesque small lake, and presents remarkable mountain and marine views. (“Lanikai, the Crescent of Content,” 1926, as printed in the Mid-Pacific Country Club At the Turn)
Before the course or clubhouse was even built, anticipation for Raynor’s course had grown. Raynor designed the course with enthusiasm, and, although he died shortly after drawing up the plans, his designs for the first nine holes were completed by his associate and partner, Charles H. Banks. The private course opened for play on September 14, 1928 with just eight holes, the ninth hole completed two weeks later, where guests were able to play all nine holes for a $1 green fee. The club held its first 9-hole golf tournament on March 29, 1929, but the back nine holes weren’t added until well after World War II, where golf course architect Willard G. Wilkinson followed Raynor’s 20-year-old design closely.
Today the private course is an 18-hole par 72, where a recent forward tee project made this beloved course even more accessible for all levels of play with the addition of a new set of forward tees at every hole. Every hole now features four sets of tees, including Blue 6,792 yards, White 6,463 yards, Gold 6,029 yards, and Red 4,976 yards.
“Members and guests frequently tell me that Mid-Pac is the best private golf course on O‘ahu,” says Jim Swieter, general manager of Mid-Pacific Country Club. Although a recent injury has kept Swieter from the greens, he has personally overseen renovations and updates to the club in recent years and has big plans to continue keeping Mid-Pac at the top of its game.
“We are just wrapping up that forward tee project,” Swieter explains. “We have also done some minor renovations to the locker rooms, upgraded our fitness center in 2019, and made some other minor facelifts around the club. Our major project in the next few years will be adding a new short game area, renovating the interior of the clubhouse and rebuilding all of our bunkers, adding new drainage and sand.”
Mid-Pac’s first hole sets the stage as the Ko‘olau mountain range acts as the impressive backdrop. The shot is clean, and by simply favoring the right side a bit, golfers will be in great shape for starting the round off strong. It doesn’t take long to wind up at the course’s signature hole, as hole No. 5 has challenged even the most astute golfers. During the 1960s-70s, this hole was a par 3, but after recent renovations, hole No. 5 is a par 5 that is a slight dogleg to the left on an island green 501 yards from the tee. Take in the scenery before you approach the tee, as the Ka‘elepulu Stream to the right and Kelly’s pond to the left are both beautiful distractions that can easily cost you par.
The course wraps up with one final view of the Pacific Ocean as a par four doglegs slightly right into the wind, but it’s the renovated clubhouse that fully rounds out the Mid Pac experience. The entire Mid-Pacific Country Club and Golf Course was designed for play, from playing the course to enjoying the many offerings at the club. The country club truly conveys the spirit of “Aloha,” whether dining with friends or taking part in any of the healthy living programs and offerings, including nine complimentary classes for members and their guests to attend each week.
The tight-knit community regularly gathers for holidays and meals, whether it’s sharing a casual made-to-order burger at the clubhouse after a friendly game of golf or a celebratory dinner with their ‘ohana over an opulent prime rib feast. Weekly specials at the restaurant and themed outings for the family are regular occurrences on the club’s calendar, from Taco Tuesdays to Movies on the Range. Charles R. Frazier was once quoted
as saying that his vision for Lanikai was to become a “Mecca for tired businessmen who seek surcease from worldly cares in the surrounding nature.” Nearly a century later, and a single trip out to the Mid Pacific Country Club confirms that Mid Pac has exceeded Frazier’s original vision. This golf Mecca has not only stood the test of time, but it continues to impress members and guests with its stunning course design, ideal playing conditions, and welcoming atmosphere for not only the tired businessmen and women, but for anyone looking to join a community of likeminded people enjoying the sweetest parts of life.
Mid-Pacific Country Club, 266 Ka‘elepulu Drive, Kailua, (808) 262-8161, mpcchi.org