Friday, May 16, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Four 2006 Rolex Junior All-America First Team selections made a return appearance, including Vicky Hurst of Melbourne, Fla., who was ranked No. 1 in the Polo Golf Rankings at the end of the 2007 season. She put together a season that included eight top-10 finishes and three AJGA victories.
Stephanie Kono of Honolulu, a three-time Rolex Junior All-American, Mina Harigae of Monterey, Calif., a five-time Rolex Junior All-American, and Taylore Karle of Scottsdale, Ariz., a three-time Rolex Junior All-American, compile the remainder of repeat first-team Rolex Junior All-Americans.
Kimberly Kim of Pahoa, Hawaii, Kristen Park of Buena Park, Calif., Ayaka Kaneko of Honolulu, Jane Rah of Torrance, Calif., Allie White of Lancaster, Ohio, and Jennifer Johnson of Carlsbad, Calif., all made their way onto the first team for the first time after being named Rolex Junior All-Americans in past years.
Courtney Ellenbogen of Blacksburg, Va., and Alexis Thompson of Coral Springs, Fla., earned first-team accolades in their first time being named to the Rolex Junior All-America Teams.
KEVIN HAYASHI - GOING STRONG!
Mauna Kea's Kevin Hayashi shot a five round 4 over 75 but still won the Aloha Section PGA Stroke Play Championship at the Royal Kaanapali Course on Maui. This is his fourth stroke play title.
Makena's Kirk Nelson is following his 2007 season specialty. Coming in second place! He was two shots back at 217 with Hayashi claiming the first place check of $2500 with a 215. International Golf Management Ron Castillo Junior came in third.
Makena's Dugal Milne won the senior Division and AJ Molitor won the Super Senior.
With this win, Hayashi is also the 36-hole medalist in earning one of three local spots in the 2008 PGA of America Professional National Championship in Georgia next June. (Kirk Nelson and Ron Castillo Jr. are the other two who qualified.)
THE GOVERNORS CUP
It's November and time for the "Ryder" Cup of Hawaii, The Governor John A. Burns Cup Challenge sponsored by AIG Hawaii.
This event pits the top twelve professionals in Hawaii against the top twelve amateurs in the State. These teams are determined based on the points each golfer accumulates over the year playing in "Governors Cup" rated events. The first day includes a Four Ball Match (Best Ball) and a Foursome Match. The second day is all about individual match play.
There are some players who are given automatic places on the team. For instance, Chan Kim and Kurt Nino are on the team. They won the State Amateur Stroke Play and the State Amateur Match Play tournaments.
Why celebrate Governor Burns? He was a strong supporter of golf in Hawaii, inducted into the Hawaii Golf Hall of Fame in it's inaugural year for his work bringing the Hawaiian Open to Hawaii as well as the Canada Cup, which is now known as the World Cup.
It's not a guarantee we'll have all 12 top professionals in the field since they have schedules to keep and jobs to do. But the amateurs usually all accept their invites because it opens the door to playing in the Sony Open in Hawaii. It may take that kind of lure to bring Kim and Nino to Hawaii since they are both on the Mainland in school. Nino at the University of San Francisco on a golf scholarship and Kim moved to Arizona to be closer to competitive junior golf, although I hear Kim is definitely on his way.
The Professionals won the Challenge last year to capture their 23rd win. The Amateurs have only won against the Professionals 10 times with one tie back in 1983 during its 34-year history.
The first day's format includes two 18-hole team matches, a Four Ball Match (Best Ball) and a Foursome Match (Scotch). Individual matches make up the second day's format.
With the Hawaii State Open to be played at the Hawaii Prince Golf Course on Oahu a week before the Governors Cup is played at the Mid Pacific Country Club, we've got some exciting golf coming up this month.
FELDMAN-STUBBLEFIELD DO IT AGAIN
Maybe Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger ought to come to Hawaii to recruit these two Hawaii professionals to be designated "Four-Ballers'" for the Ryder Cup. For the sixth consecutive time, Andrew Feldman and Larry Stubblefield successfully defended their title by earning a 4 and 3 win at this years 2007 Golf Concepts/E-Z-GO 4-Ball Match Play Championship at the Oahu Country Club against father-son duo Ron Castillo Senior and Ron Costillo Junior. This is the last major championship of the 2007 season and the points are important toward the Aloha Section Player of the Year and a spot on the Governors Cup team.
Feldmann / Stubblefield earned their berth into the finals by defeating Brad Bowen / David Gerken 1-up in the 1st round, Wade Nishimoto / Joey Castillo 3-1 in the 2nd round and Kevin Hayashi / Lance Taketa 1-up in the semifinals. Castillo Sr. / Castillo Jr. earned their spot in the finals by defeating Ty Otake / Neil Ozaki 1-up on the 19th in the 1st round, Mike Iyoki / Ron Kiaaina Jr. 1-up on the 19th in the 2nd round, and Matt Pakkala / Regan Lee 1-up in the semifinals.
In the finals, after the first 7 holes, Feldmann / Stubblefield won 3 holes (#2, #5 & #7) to stand at 3-up. Then Castillo Jr birdied hole #8 and Castillo Sr parred hole #9 to win that hole to give the champions only a 1-up lead after the turn. Then Stubblefield birdied #10, and Feldmann birdied hole #12 and parred hole #13 to win those 3 holes to bring it to 4-up. Both teams tied up on holes #14 and 15 to close the match 4-up with three remaining.
OFFICIAL POINTS FOR AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS
Here's the official professional player points ranking before the 2007 Golf Concepts/E-Z-GO 4-Ball Match Play Championship and the 2007 Prince Resorts Hawaii State Open
From the Aloha Section PGA website:
1 HAYASHI, Kevin 80
2 CARLL, Kevin 79.75
3 NELSON, Kirk 73
4 CASTILLO, Ron Jr. 56
5 LYNCH, John 48.5
6 FELDMANN, Andrew 46.5
7 PAKKALA, Matt 42.67
8 BOWEN, Bradley 38.5
9 CARROLL, Scott 32.75
10 PHENGSAVATH, Joe 32.25
11 SASADA, Brian 32
12 TAKETA, Lance 31
13 MORRISON, Mark 28
14 HAMAMOTO, Jarett 22
15 MOYNAHAN, Brendan 21.5
16 GERKEN, David 20
17 ABE, Shane 19.5
18 KING, Jerry 17.67
19 RAU, David 15.5
20 ISHII, David 15
The final professional team for the Governor's Cup and the Player of the Year will be announced after the Hawaii State Open. This year it's a tight race for the both the team positions and the Player of the Year!
Aloha Section PGA
2007 Senior Player of the Year Points
Sponsored by Tour Golf, Inc.
From the Aloha Section PGA website
1 Kiaaina, Ron Jr 352.5
2 Stubblefield, Larry 302.5
3 Iyoki, Mike 250
4 Milne, Dugal 235
5 Acia, Rodney 202.5
6 Chin, David 142.5
7 Council, Clif 135
Suzuki, Ray 135
9 Perry, Harold 125
10 Morrison, Mark 112.5
11 Greenwood, Kerry 95
12 Castillo, Ron Sr. 90
13 Molitor, A.J. 85
Root, Joe 10 85
15 Cipro, Fran 82.5
We're going to see points change in both professional divisions after the results of the E-Z-Go 4-Ball Match Play and the Hawaii Prince Hawaii State Open are factored in.
Next comes the Amateur Ranking, from 808golf.com, following both the 2007 Turtle Bay Amateur and the 44th Oahu Country Club Men's Invitational, the final amateur events of the season:
1 1 Watabu, Casey 1086.7
2 2 Kop, Brandan 1075
3 3 Maekawa, Sean 767.5
4 7 Chan, Lorens 725
5 4 Shigezawa, Bradley 670
6 5 Kim, Chan 650
T7 8 Ota, Jonathan 580
T7 10 Kim, Taeksoo 580
9 6 Park, Henry 565
10 9 Chu, Alex 440
11 N/R Ching, Alex 387.5
12 11 Cailp, Pono 376.67
13 12 Perez, Ryan 355
14 13 Kua, T. J. 345
15 14 Nino, Kurt*** 300
16 15 Jaffurs, Isaac 275
17 16 Zellmer, Derek 265
T18 17 Kimura, Paul 250
T18 22 Kawate, Mike 250
T20 N/R Silva, Patrick H. 247.5
T20 N/R Williams, Doug 247.5
There are three automatic qualifiers in the amateur field. Kurt Nino is automatically in the field because he won the State Amateur Match Play tournament and Chan Kim who won the State Amateur Stroke Play tournament. The third is the State Open amateur winner, to be determined!
2007 TURTLE BAY AMATEUR
Punahou sophomore Bradley Shigezawa came from two shots behind to win the 2007 Turtle Bay Amateur. Shigezawa shot a 4 under par, 68 on the Fazio Course to finish with a two-day total 139 (5 under par). Finishing in second place was Iolani's Lorens Chan who shot 73-68 for a 141 total. In third place was Honolulu's Brandon Kop with rounds of 72-70 for a 142 total. First round leader Alex Ching finished in fourth place.
In the A Flight Division, Tim Patrizio won shooting 79 for a two-day total 149. In second place was Jeff Irvine who shot 76-79 for a 155 total.
In the B Flight Division, Pat Lederer won shooting 81 for a two-day total 160. There was a four-way tie for 2nd place between Leighton Uyeda, Michael Santa Maria, Alan Ching, and Lito Fuentes Jr.
In the C Flight Division, Geoffrey Michaelson won shooting a final round 91 for a 178 total. In second place was Kurt Takahashi who shot 94-91 for a 185 total.
State Senior Amateur: Gary Haynie shot a 2-over 74 yesterday to win the men's title at Kane'ohe Klipper Golf Course with a 5-over 149. Doug Stacy (77) was second at 151. Marcie Rudich won the women's title with an 81 yesterday for a 15-over 159 total.
44TH OCC MEN'S INVITATIONAL
Alex Ching shot an even par round of 71 to capture the 2007 Men's Invitational. Alex was eleven under par for the three-day event with rounds of 64-67-71 = 202. Lorens Chan came in second place with a six under par score of 207. Lorens also closed with an even par round of 71. Alex's final round featured three birdies and three bogies. Taeksoo Kim tied for the low round of the day firing a one under par round of 70 for a 214 total of one over par good for 3rd place. Brandan Kop & Doug Williams tied for fourth place at 3-ove par 216 respectively.
Difficult hole locations kept Alex from setting a new tournament record. The record of 201, twelve under par was set by Parker McLaughlin in 2001. Alex is a senior at Punahou School & has accepted a golf Scholarship to play at the University of San Diego next fall.
George Yamamoto captured the Senior Title firing a four over par score of 75 for a 151 total. Daniel Park shot a 77 for a 152 total for second place. Jim Ono was one-shot back firing a 78 for a 153 total. This is the fourth time George has captured the OCC Senior Title. George's other titles came in 1999, 2000 & 2001.
The Oahu Country Club Team of Sam Pratt, Brandan Kop, Alex Ching, Marc Rosen & Jeff Weinstein captured the team title with a fourteen over par team score of 582. The team of Lorens Chan, Blaine Kimura, Jonathan Ota, Shannon Sibayan & Craig Uyehara came in second with a team score of 587. The team competition was contested over the first 36-holes of the event. The four best scores of the five determined the teams score each day.
THE PRESIDENTS CUP
| Audio Clip (.wma) |
| Jack Nicklaus, Presidents Cup Captain, talks about how happy he was to be part of this U.S. team |
So the question that begs answering is WHY???? Why can we win the Presidents Cup and stumble so inelegantly in the Ryder Cup?
Some people say it's because the European team comes to the event with a chip on the shoulder and the need to prove they are just as good as the "super stars" on the American team.
The European team doesn't have Ernie Els, Adam Scott or Sergio Garcia. Those players are South African, Australian and Spanish golfers. So who is left? Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke, and Padraig Harrington plus hard working journeymen who play just as hard and dedicated as any player in the world but lacking in the star power and ability of Woods and Els.
So how do these guys, these Brits and Scots and Irishmen, manage to knock out the world's elite players?
I think it has a lot to do with how open they are with each other. I think its because they know each other so well, they know each others families, the strengths of their opponents game on the European Tour, the weaknesses and a determination to reveal themselves to each other completely. And by allowing that "intimacy", they open each other up to letting their teammate complete them. Allowing the teammate to make better their own game, and each other's game. That's the beauty of the teamwork you see when they play the Foursome and Best Ball portions of the Ryder Cup.
It seems to me the American players are much more guarded with one another. It's just the impression I get knowing how secretive they are about their training routines and the work they do with their coaches. A good example that comes to mind is when Woods left Butch Harmon and started working with Hank Haney. Woods wouldn't tell the media is he was working with a new coach but I know Woods had Haney flown in via helicopter, literally landing Haney on the golf course so he could work with him in complete privacy.
"Our mission was to come out and give golf a great boost to this country," Player said. "I've never seen more enthusiasm in the gallery. Our guys can hold their head up high."
Credit: Fred Vuich/SI
During a press conference back in February when both President Cup captains were sitting in front of the journalists taking questions, one of the last questions asked was the role of the captain.
Q. It's been well chronicled how time-consuming it is for the captain of the Ryder Cup, especially the year of the event. I'm just curious how time-consuming and strenuous your guys' job will be this year.
GARY PLAYER: I put it on an equal basis. We've got to keep watching how your team is doing. You know when it comes to the Presidents Cup you've got the whole world watching, the golfing world watching who you're picking and who's playing, and you've got to stay in touch with your team. We have meetings with them when it's possible.
I would put it pretty much on a par.
JACK NICKLAUS: Well, I'm a little different. I guess I'm a little bit more relaxed. I don't really put a lot of work in it. You know, I feel like it's - all the captain does is make sure he has clean towels, sun cream, things like that, sets up the matches. Obviously I keep up with it on a week-to-week basis, see what's going on. I don't really make a big deal out of it.
We have a couple of meetings, and it's the players' event, not my event. I'm there to help bring together an American team and bring them together. Gary is there to bring together an International team. Gary's job is tougher because he's got guys playing all over the world. Most of my guys are playing here. It's really not that hard for me."
MESSAGE TO PAUL AZINGER - RYDER CUP CAPTAIN
Tip for Ryder Cup team captain Paul Azinger. Looks like a relaxed, hands off, let them pick their partners, kind of attitude works with the U.S players.
| Audio Clip (.wma) |
| Mike Weir talks about beating Tiger Woods but not winning the Presidents Cup |
| Audio Clip (.wma) |
| International Team leader Gary Players talks about Mike Weirs' singles win |
The United States won the Presidents Cup, but Mike Weir gave Canada quite a consolation prize. The Americans won 5 of the 12 singles matches in Montreal, more than enough to capture the Presidents Cup for the second straight time.
But for the Canadians and for Mike Weir, his win against Tiger Woods was almost better than winning the Masters.
"It's right there with it," Weir said. "Obviously, winning the Masters was such a thrill, but to play Tiger. ... He's the best player there is, and I had to play my absolute best today to beat him."
Woods took on Mike Weir in front of a partisan Canadian crowd on Sunday. The International team had little chance of overcoming a huge deficit, so this match became the day's main event. Weir jumped out to a lead and was 3 up through 10 holes.
Woods and Weir shared a hug on the 18th green as thousands of fans crammed into the bleachers. The crowd covered every blade of grass around the green and chanted, "Mike! Mike! Mike!"
#12 A
Tiger Woods talks his play against Mike Weir
| Audio Clip (.wma) |
| Tiger says he really enjoyed the final round |
"I told him I was proud of how he handled himself," Woods said. "He had to carry an entire country on his shoulders. Not too many people can play as well as he did."
For the Americans, it was another victory for their beloved captain, Jack Nicklaus, who is 2-1-1 in the Presidents Cup.
For Woody Austin, a tumble in a water hazard earned him a place in golf history!
HSBC WORLD MATCH PLAY
It's been a pretty rewarding scramble for 2007 U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera. At the HSBA World Match Play Championship, second seeded Ernie Els beat Cabrera 6 & 4 for his seventh HSBC World Match play title at Wentworth.
Els said: "I never thought I'd win a seventh time - it's amazing. This has been a very important win for me and my career. To win this prestigious tournament is wonderful."
Els did it with a sore back he woke up with.
Cabrera was trying to become the fifth man to win the U.S Open and the HSBC in the same year but he didn't have the game against Els. Cabrera was smokin' earlier in his easily defeating Retief Goosen, Paul Casey and Hunter Mahan.
In the first of the day's great South Africa vs Argentina battles, Els led from the start, hitting 13 birdies in a comprehensive victory to leave the Big Easy better off by one million pounds plus in the lead for the European Order of Merit - finished in time to take a private jet to Paris to see South Africa take on Argentina in the rugby world cup semi-final. Els even gave the South African team a pep talk before the game.
PGA GRAND SLAM OF GOLF
Angel Cabrera had to catch his jet to Bermuda to play in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Tuckers Town. It's the event only the winners of the four major golf events of the year are invited to play. Cabrera, Padraig Harrington, Zach Johnson and Jim Furyk squared off on the little island in the middle of the Atlantic. They used to play this event on a little island in the middle of the Pacific, Kauai, and we hope they return to the Poipu Golf Club.
There have been a number of reasons offered to explain the move from Hawaii to Bermuda. The one I tend to believe is the desire of East Coast big money folks to take a short hop for a long weekend of golf with the top players in the Pro Am. The power couple of Michael and Catherine Zeta-Jones who spend many months living in Bermuda took advantage of the opportunity.
We're hoping PGA GRAND SLAM OF GOLF WILL return to Hawaii by 2010.
Tiger Woods wrote a lovely letter to the head of the PGA of America explaining that he was mentally exhausted and had not spent enough time at home with his newborn - therefore he was not going to play. The PGA Championship winners' spot was given to Jim Furyk. Zach Johnson won the Masters and Padraig Harrington the British Open. Harrington finished the first day of play in the lead but he said he wasn't all that happy with his play. He said he didn't have any confidence in any of his shots that day and kept his head down so much he barely noticed the views from the Mid Ocean Club.
Cabrera knew he had to make up a lot of ground after a double bogey on the second hole of the second round and he did! Cabrera won it, forcing a play-off with Irishman Harrington after an 18th-hole eagle, both golfers finishing on 136. The 38-year-old Argentine then birdied the third extra hole to take the title and the US$1.35 million that goes with it.
WIE DUMPS ANOTHER AGENT
Hindsight is often 20/20. For Michelle Wie, the phrase apparently applies. She finally got the message the entire golf community was trying to get across to her. Take care of your injuries and put down your sticks.
Michelle Wie, in a media briefing at the Bighorn Golf Course, said, "the only thing I would do differently...I wouldn't have played this year. It's as simple as that. The only thing I did wrong this year is that I did not take my injuries as seriously as I should have."
Now why wasn't that logic applied to this Samsung World Championship?
There are quite a few people believe Wie made another mistake she hasn't had the hindsight to appreciate. She kept the sponsor exemption to the Samsung World Championship extended in May. Or maybe we should ask why she was given the lone exemption offered into a "no cut" event that's open to only the 20 top performing female golfers in the world. Or why didn't they ask for it back!
Even if Wie came in last place, she'd walk away with her largest paycheck this year. She finished second to last.
The tournament takes the defending champion, the four major champions, the leading money winner in Europe, one special exemption and the rest from the LPGA Tour money list.
Samsung offered the exemption to Wie back in March, before the beginning of this disastrous year. Some people on the Mainland have called Wie "the former phenom". It was also before Annika Sorenstam had a painful year with two major injuries in her spine, including a herniated disk in her neck. Sorenstam wasn't included in the field until Samsung decided to add a new exemption for active Hall of Famers. That's when Sorenstam was invited to the World Championship but Sorenstam declined the exemption because it would have bumped one of the "rightful" positions and she knew that wasn't going over well with the LPGA membership. She declined the invite and ended a run of 12 straight appearances at the Samsung.
It's been written that the perfect scenario for IMG, which runs the tournament, would have been for Wie to give back the exemption based on the state of her game this year and so she wouldn't miss a week of her first year at Stanford. Wie didn't, her agent said she wasn't asked, and the powers that be decided to tinker with the Samsung World Championship criteria.
I've said this before, and I'll say it again, the LPGA Tour has to stop bending the rules for the "It" player "de jour". I believe all of the special exemption given to Wie is one of the reasons why so many people now perceive Wie as a spoiled, inconsiderate player. No one made Wie play by the rules and she got accustomed to that. It's not her fault. It's the people who wanted to profit from her notoriety. Those people are on the LPGA Tour, the USGA, Samsung, McDonald's, even the Royal and Ancient. It changed its rules allowing women to compete for a spot in the British Open but Wie didn't go for that one! One R&A official actually said "now that we've made it possible it would be nice if someone applied!"
ANOTHER AGENT BITES THE DUST
The Michelle Wie Camp is looking for a new agent. Or maybe, as it was suggested on "The Golf Club" by golf commentator and announcer Bob Bubka, Nike should just pay B.J. Wie for doing the job.
Greg Nared, who left Nike to become Wie's agent, resigned last month. Her first agent, Ross Berlin, resigned a year ago. Bubka asked Berlin if he was going to get his old job back, and Berlin said something to the effect of "not on your life".
''Everybody in the business knows the deal. It's just very hard for her parents to accept advice,'' a source told the Golf Channel's Brian Hewitt.
''It's been such a sad case of management by those closest to her,'' NBC golf analyst Dottie Pepper told USA Today. ''The parents insist upon the path that has been chosen, and it's catastrophic.''
''If they keep doing what they are doing, there is a great chance it will get worse and worse,'' Wie's former coach Gary Gilchrist said.
A Wie family spokesman said, ''The core group of agents handling Michelle's business relationships remains intact, as it has from Day One of her professional career.''
Now if only someone could help out with her golf game. The William Morris Agency cannot shake Wie from its roster, as the parental units would only sign with the agency if the contract was not based upon Wie's performance. At least Michelle Wie was proud of herself "for not giving up this whole week".
Carolyn Bivens is also optimistic. The LPGA Commissioner put it quite plainly. "...It's way too early to give up on her, and it way too early to know what kind of career she will have."
Michelle Wie, who received a special exemption to join the field, finished with by far her best round of the tournament, a 71 for an 18-over total. She was 19 over after the first three rounds, but her good final round move her up over Bettina Hauert into 19th place in the 20-player event. Hauert shot a 76 to go to 19 over.
A Stanford freshman who turned 18 in October, Wie earned $13,125 for her 19th-place finish, more than the total of $9,899 she made in seven previous events this year.
Wie was pleased to finally get her game going. "I didn't play for a while (because of wrist injuries) and it took me a lot longer than I thought to get back into the game," she said. "Definitely this was a lot better. I was really proud of myself for not giving up the whole week, that I just fought through. "And today I just fought through the round. Obviously, I had a couple of missed shots, but I made a lot of putts and today helped me to think very positively."
She finished 17th at Big Horn last year. She would have finished fourth in 2005, when she made the tournament her pro debut, but was disqualified after the final round for signing an incorrect score card following the third round.
LPGA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
After winning six tournaments and the LPGA Player of the Year award in 2006, Lorena Ochoa set some new goals.
She's done a fine job of reaching them, including defending her title in the Samsung World Championship with a runaway victory Sunday for her seventh title of 2007, and wrapping up her second player of the year honor.
"It's been a great 2007. After what happened in 2006, I thought it would be hard to improve. But here I am," she said after finishing with a 6-under 66 to win by four shots over Mi Hyun Kim. "I set some goals at the beginning of the year, and I wanted to get better, and I wanted to win more tournaments and to be better with some categories on the LPGA, and I'm doing good. So I cannot ask for anything else," Ochoa said. Except to remain No. 1.
Asked how she plans to stay at the top, the 25-year-old Mexican star said, "I always try to be one step ahead and for that I need to keep working really hard. I think you have to have very clear goals, what you want to do and where are the places you can improve.
"There are so many places that I have room to improve -- my short game, a better feel with my putting, working on lies. I want to go home and work hard in the off-season, even harder than last year and be ready for next year."
Her game solid from tee to cup, Ochoa turned what began as a pressure-packed final round at Big Horn Golf Club into a romp on the way to her 16th career win.
She finished at 18-under 270 and earned $250,000 to push her record total to $3,318,421.
Kim closed with a 69. Angela Park, this year's rookie of the year, and Jeong Jang shot 70s to tie for third at 13 under.
HAWAII's "AWAY" COLLEGE STANDOUT
Kayla Morinaga became the first Portland State Viking golfer in four years to be medalist in a collegiate tournament when she won the Heather Farr/Colorado Memorial Golf Tournament with a final round of 1-under par 71 and a tournament total of 2-under par 214 (74-69-71). Colorado won the team portion with a total of 885 (301-287-297) while the University of Hawaii Women's team placed 8th with a total of 906 (299-297-310).
2007 MAYORS' CHALLENGE CUP
It's the inaugural Mayors' Challenge Cup, pitting teams from Kauai and Oahu against each other at the Ala Wai Golf Course November 10 and 11.
On Oahu, the qualifier was held over a weekend in October.
Honolulu Team Members
Mens Open Championship: David Komori (5.8)
Mens Open A: Brian Killingsworth (10.9)
Mens Open B: Kyle Paishon (19.3)
Mens Senior Championship: John Mun (7.4)
Mens Senior A: Sucuma Elliot (14.4)
Mens Senior B: George Salsedo, Jr. (16.7)
Mens Super Senior Championship: Peter DeGuzman (4.2)
Mens Super Senior A: Roger Tom (12.1)
Mens Super Senior B: Richard Sonomura (25.0)
Womens Championship: Allisen Corpuz (11.7)
Womens A: Kathy Pickering (14.0)
Womens B: Valerie Ing (34.9)
Kauai Team Members as of 10/16/07
OPEN DIVISION
Championship Flight Art Fujita 2.7
A Flight Kelly Oda 8.9
B Flight John Calma 18.4
SENIOR DIVISION
Championship Flight Pat Viernes 3.1
A Flight Stan Staulz 12
B Flight Dennis Makiya 18.7
SUPER SENIOR DIVISION
Championship Flight Robert Hiraoka 7.4
A Flight Rand Becker 11.7
B Flight Charles Kawakami 19.6
WOMEN'S DIVISION
Championship Flight Mary Ann Shintani 10.3
A Flight Cindy Oda 15.2
B Flight Arlene Kawakami 36
ALOHA SECTION PGA FOUNDATION AND CASTLE RESORTS & HOTELS 2007 UH SCHOLARSHIP PRO-AM
The GolfLink, Inc. team led by professional Joe Phengsavath and his team of amateurs: Carol Arakawa, Glenn Hirayama, JoAnn Takamiyashi and Loreen Kunisaki captured the title at the third event of the Aloha Section PGA Foundation / Castle Resorts & Hotels Pro-Am Series benefiting the University of Hawaii Golf Team with a team score of 120. The Pint Size Corporation team led by professional Jerry Mullen and his team of amateurs: Clayton Kim, Steve Kira, Stan Harris, and Gerald Hiyane came in second place with a team score of 121. Jerry Mullen and Tim Herek tied for low pro honors with a 3-under par 69.
The Aloha Section PGA Foundation is conducting four pro-am series events throughout the year. The series of events are intended to provide a full four-year scholarship for the University of Hawaii Golf program for a Hawaii resident who has a financial need. This event is planned for you to have fun with a little competition thrown in. There were 21 teams playing in October and there is still time for you to enter the final event at the Pearl Country Club. It's Friday, November 30th, 12:30 PM Shotgun start.
Everyone will be treated to a round of golf, an awards dinner and played for a total purse of almost $5,000 (gift certificates for amateurs and cash for pros). The tournament format is a five-person team (one ASPGA Golf Professional and four amateurs) one net, one gross best ball per hole. All amateurs must have a USGA GHIN handicap.
SURPRISE! TIGER IS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
World number one Tiger Woods was named PGA Player of the Year on Tuesday for the ninth time in 11 seasons. Woods dominated the PGA Tour, winning seven titles in 16 starts, including his 13th major victory in the U.S. PGA Championship at Southern Hills. The 31-year-old American ended his campaign two weeks ago with a memorable double, clinching the Tour Championship by eight shots and inaugural FedEx Cup honors to earn a $10 million bonus.
It was his 61st PGA Tour title and fourth in five starts.
Woods, who led the money list with $10,867,052 at the end of the regular season, first won the Player of the Year award in 1997. He followed up in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006. Fellow American Mark O'Meara earned the accolade in 1998 and Fijian Vijay Singh in 2004
TIGERS' GROWING EMPIRE
Gatorade is partnering with Tiger Woods on a new sports drink, the PepsiCo brand's first athlete-licensed offering.
"Gatorade Tiger" will make its debut in stores next March and will be supported by a major marketing campaign.
"Gatorade has been part of my game plan for years, whether I'm training or competing, so this is an ideal match," Woods said in a statement. Terms of the agreement weren't immediately available, but it won't be cheap. (Golfweek Magazine has reported the deal is worth $100 million over five years, but a Gatorade spokeswoman wouldn't comment on the terms.)
Woods picked the flavors himself. TigerGatorade will be available in cherry blend, citrus blend and grape flavors.
BARBIE GOES "FORE"
Move over Michelle Wie, Barbie is hitting the links. Mattel Inc. is teaming up with Cougar Golf to roll out a Barbie-themed golf set aimed at getting young girls interested in the sport, according to a report in USA Today.
The set will include a driver, iron, putter, carrying bag and USGA-approved golf ball, as well as a visor, six wooden tees and three ball markers. The set will be available at Target stores in November and has a suggested price of $39.99.
The set is aimed at ages 4-6. In the spring, Mattel will roll out another Barbie-themed set for ages 6-9, which will be available at both retail and sporting-goods stores.
The last association Barbie had with golf was 1992's "Golf Date Barbie."
TIPS FOR YOUR BEST LOOK
A tip for ladies who like to look their best on the golf course but don't want the make up look, check out Avi P. Cosmetics. The foundation has both sun damage protection agents in it, so you're protected from not only the sun's burning but also the rays that age us and the look is natural. Here is a link to Avi P. Cosmetics: www.naturalcolor.biz/store. Or contact Gigi: gigi@avipcosmetics.com
"Permanent Elegance" is in the University area, 2570 So. Beretania, between Burger King and Jiffy Lube, with parking in the front of the building. The number is 808 944 8881. If you are thinking about permanent makeup, call Gigi. She is the best!
"Permanent Elegance" isn't just for women. Men would benefit from a little eyebrow grooming with Gigi at "Permanent Elegance". I know it sounds weird, guys, but you'll be surprised how much of a difference it'll make in your overall look. Believe me, some of THE well-known men in town and country trust their eyebrows to Gigi at "Permanent Elegance"!
"The Golf Club" radio show in on Saturday morning at 7 AM on four radio stations and streaming live at www.radiogolfclub.com Log on for the station on your island!
Thank you for your Mana and may you hit the sweet spot every time!
Aloha,
Danielle
