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By John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor

Editor's note: John Maginnes played the PGA TOUR for a decade and also won three times on the Nationwide Tour. Maginnes now works as an analyst for the PGA TOUR Network on XM Satellite Radio. He will be contributing regularly to PGATOUR.com.

I finally made it to the Mercedes-Benz Championship in 2006. After nearly a decade on the PGA TOUR, I was finally in the winner's circle. I was trespassing, of course, but I was there nonetheless.

That is the beautiful thing about making the transition to the "dark side." That is the terminology my friends who still play on the PGA TOUR use when talking about me joining the media. What they don't realize is that as a player I only managed to play in a handful of majors and even fewer World Golf Championships (none, to be exact). As a member of the media, though, I get invited to all the big tournaments. I even made the Ryder Cup team last year. So what if it was the broadcast team? I was there.

Of all the new places that broadcasting took me in 2006, the first was hands down the best. You would have to search the world to find a place that combines beauty, hospitality, tropical breezes and great golf as well as Kapalua on the island of Maui. For the players it is an honor to be invited into the winners-only field that opens the season. But whether you are a tournament winner on the PGA TOUR or a lowly scribe you are guaranteed to enjoy your stay at Kapalua.

One of the many unique elements of the Mercedes-Benz Championship is the fact that nearly all the players stay in the same hotel. While most PGA TOUR events are held in major metropolitan areas, the Mercedes-Benz Championship is situated in its own private paradise. It is not unusual in the evenings to find players and family members enjoying a libation in the lobby of the fabulous Ritz-Carlton. At most other tournaments, the players are spread throughout the community and have their own agendas. On Maui, whether you are a PGA TOUR player or a tourist, agendas have a way drifting away on an ocean breeze.

In addition to great golf there are many other activities to be enjoyed at Kapalua. Will MacKenzie, who is making his first trip to Maui, admitted to spending a little time surfing while warming up for the tournament. He might want to consider the same warm-up routine next week over on Oahu -- although I am planning on sending Will a message Sunday night telling him not to attempt the big waves at the North Shore. The Bonsai Pipeline is no place for amateurs.

Rory Sabbatini and his wife Amy made the trip to Maui, where they were married four years ago on New Year's Eve, in mid-December. Rory said that they were just enjoying a little sunshine and relaxing. No word on whether Rory grabbed a board and gave the waves a try, but I wouldn't put anything past him.

Whether you play well or get blown away in the trade winds that have tormented the players through two rounds, you can bet everyone is enjoying Maui. It is an event that few players can ink on their schedules every year. Gary Planos, the tournament director, calls all the winners on Sunday night to formally invite them to the event. What a wonderful phone call that must be to receive. Aloha.