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COVER STORY
SoCal
GOLF
INSIDER
O
n Christmas Day in 1993, a spectacular, Jack Nicklaus-de-
signed golf course called The Challenge at Manele opened
on the Hawaiian island of Lana'i.
A week later on New Year's Day, dozens of the richest and most
powerful people in the world gathered on the signature, par-3 12th
hole – on the cliff-top green overlooking the deep-blue Pacific
Ocean – to watch billionaire tech mogul Bill Gates close another big
deal.
This one was sealed with a kiss.
Gates married Melinda French that day, just before sunset, in a
white-canopied ceremony witnessed by a Who's Who of business
magnates and socialites, including Warren Buffett, then the second-
wealthiest American behind Gates; Seahawks and Trail Blazers
owner Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with Gates; best man
Steve Ballmer, eventual successor to Gates as Microsoft CEO and
future owner of the LA Clippers; and Katharine Graham, then the
island
paradise
Manale Golf Course offers an amazing
Hawaiian experience
• By randy youngman
The 12th hole at Manale Golf Course is
where Bill and Melinda Gates were married.
