Saturday, July 4, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
It wasn’t exactly how Tadd Fujikawa wanted the final round of the Mid-Pacific Open golf tournament to play out.
"First cut as a pro, and first win as a pro. Feeling pretty good," Fujikawa said. "Didn't really play too well today, it was a struggle. But luckily I grinded through it, made a lot of clutch puts toward the end."
He shot a 4-over 76 on Sunday but it was still good enough for a 7-stroke victory over Hawaii’s “Arnold Palmer” David Ishii. Fujikawa entered the final round with a comfortable lead over David Ishii, the 1990 Hawaiian Open champion and 14-time Japan Golf Tour winner and 3-time Mid Pacific Open winner.
See, there were these pesky bogeys on Sunday. That’s what Fujikawa was talking about when he was talking about that struggle. He bogeyed three of his last four holes on the front nine but he had built up such an enormous lead going into the final round, he was still leading by five at the turn. That’s when Fujikawa found his game and found par on eight of the back nine holes.
I think that’s one of the things that bothers Fujikwa the most about his mainland and foreign “sponsor exemption” professional play so far. He has a hard time stringing all of the good shots together to make the win. It must have felt a little bit like the past 10 times as a pro. Sunday. Making all those bogeys. You could see it in his shoulders and his facial expressions. But in the end, he came out on top with $13,500 big ones. Yea!
The victory also made Fujikawa, now 17, the youngest player to win in the Mid Pac tournaments’ 50-year history. Last year the Moanalua High School student made history making the cut on the PGA Tour at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Soon after, he talked his parents into letting him turn pro so he could earn enough money to travel to tournaments. Until Sunday, April 20th, he hadn’t yet made it to the money on the weekend to earn those travel expenses, missing the cuts in 10 pro events including five on the PGA Tour.
Ishii had nothing but praise for Fujikawa. He told the Associated Press: “He played smart, didn’t make any foolish mistakes on the tough holes. He showed he could manage his way around Mid-Pac.” Ishii means Fujikawa exercised restraint when necessary demonstrating his course management ability.
Ishii finished second at 285. Defending champion Darren Summers (73) and 2005 champion John Lynch (75) tied for third at 286.
“The Golf Club” radio show was broadcasting from the tournament and we had a great time talking with some of the players in the field. As the shows’ producer and host, I only talk with the folks who feel comfortable talking before their rounds.
David Ishii joined the show about a half an hour before his tee time. He had two good days behind him and said he just hoped his bad day, which he says inevitably comes during a tournament, wouldn’t be too hard on him. But words of wisdom from Ishii. The tournament usually comes down to the last five holes on Sunday. As Ishii said, at Mid-Pac, “Just because you get on the green, doesn’t mean you’re going to two-putt it. Sometimes it’s better to be off the green and chipping uphill instead of putting on the green. You need to think where you want to place your ball. If you can do that then you’re going to score. If not you’re going to have to rely on your short game.”
Ishii told us he loves Mid Pacific Country Club’s golf course, the way it sets up, the way it reminds him of Kauai golf, and just getting a chance to play there is always a treat.
Coming up, the David S. Ishii Foundation Golf Tournament will be held this year again at the Pearl Country Club. The money raised during the tournament will be used to help junior golfers travel during the high school golf championships and for scholarships awarded to four graduating seniors. The deadline to get your entry is mid May.
MORE HISTORY MADE AT THE MID PAC OPEN: A WOMAN MADE THE CUT!
You may remember the petitions Michelle Wie filed several years in a row, requesting the opportunity to play but permission was never granted. This year the board of directors at Mid Pacific gave in, with one condition – the female had to play in the professional flight and be cut on the professional flight number. Both professional and championship flight players were playing on the same scoreboard so on the leaderboard it looked like Anna Jang was playing Saturday. But actually she missed the cut by a couple strokes.
Stephanie Kono made the professional cut and finished 27th with 76-75-76-77 – 304 total against one of the toughest fields ever gathered at Mid Pacific Country Club and made history in the process.
Stephanie Kono was happy to get this chance to challenge herself. She hasn’t been playing as much golf the past two years, focusing instead on her academic work at Punahou. She played across the mainland during the summer at all of the AJGA events and USGA events. At the end of the summer last year, Stephanie Kono was ranked in the top five on the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index. But she’s not a junior anymore. She’ll be playing for the UCLA Bruins in the fall and isn’t ranked. (The highest ranking Hawaii collegiate player is Mari Chun, playing for Stanford, and ranked 24th.)
15-year-old Nick Matsushima, who has only been playing golf for a year now, took the challenge at the Mid-Pac Open and found out how tough the weekend can be with the superintendent of golf working against you in addition to Mother Nature, who dished up strong trade winds. Matsushima was a guest on the show. Matsushima is working with Kevin Rabolvsky at Koolau. He got into the game listening to his father talk about Tadd Fujikawa and his success.
Mid-Pacific Country Club teaching professional Joe Phengsavath, or Joe P., finished 24th. Phengsavath says at least he has learned where superintendent Jason Amoi puts the pin placement – on each corner on different days but this year he cropped the rough near the greens which just added to the roll of the ball if you place the ball on the green and more importantly will it hold. In some cases, the drop off was very difficult to recover from. Joe. P plays for Titleist and GolfLink, clothing apparel and accessories. But if you are on the relaxed side, or would like to relax into this game, take a lesson with Joe. You don’t have to be a member at Mid Pacific Country Club.
In the Championship bracket, T.J. Kua and Bradley Shigezawa tied for the win with a four-day total of 298. State stroke play champion Travis Toyama was third, just one stroke back at 299.
Hal Okita working with 6 others overseeing the rules of the game at Mid Pacfic Country Club. He and the rules officials spend many days checking out the course and making sure the course is clearly staked out. Okita was another one of the many to say the golf course at Mid Pacific Golf Course is the best shape ever.
Jason Amoi found time to join us in the clubhouse to talk about how difficult he makes the course every year. We’re going to spend a show talking about an article in Golf Digest, titled “The most important article we have ever published”. It’s all about the golf industry challenges coming in the next few years including the limited water supplies globally.
As for how tough he makes the course, Amoi says in the beginning of the tournament he makes the course seem comfortable and not too difficult so the golfers get a nice feeling for how the course is playing. By Saturday, it’s time to crack down and test the players who’ve made the cut.
This year saw a total of 80 professional golfers playing in the Mid-Pacific Open, the largest number ever.
MICHELLE TUCKER IN THE TOP TEN
I have to add this to the list of winners this month. My sister, Michelle Tucker, CPF, JD, CPA/PFS is in Forbes Magazines Goldline Research 2008 Selections.
She is the only person from Hawaii in the “Top Ten Most Dependable Wealth Managers of the Northwest and Hawaii”.
As written in Forbes Magazine: Michelle Tucker of Golden Years Retirement Specialists, Inc. helps successful families manage and preserve wealth through caring and comprehensive investment, tax, financial, estate and protection planning. Her number is 791-1444.
USGA BREAKS A SPEED RECORD
Stewart Cink DQ’d himself from PGA Tour’s Zurich classic of New Orleans because he violated a rule most had never heard of. He stood in a bunker and hit to another bunker and his caddie raked the first bunker before Cink hit from the second bunker. It’s a rule called “test the condition of the hazard”. You’re not allowed to find out how the bunker feels and rake the first one before firing out of the second.
Oh, never mind. The USGA released a new interpretation so that won’t happen again. Stay tuned for the next Rule Book Violation!
DEAN WILSON LEADS IN NEW ORLEANS
It’s a little scary being at the top of the leaderboard after the first round. Now I’m not saying that’s how Dean Wilson felt when he played himself to the top of the leaderboard after round 1 of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans but he says it came at a good time and it sure felt good!
| Audio Clip (.mp3) |
| Click here to listen to Dean Wilson talk about his early lead. |
| Audio Clip (.mp3) |
| Click here to listen to Dean Wilson on the fickle game |
Andres Romero ended up the winner, his first on the PGA Tour, with a tournament total of 13-under-par 275. He also had the luxury of finishing before the rain delay. Romero is the fourth consecutive player to break through and the sixth in the last seven years at the Zurich Classic. He knows what it feels like to be close when he almost won the British Open’s Claret Jug until the double-bogey and bogey at Carnoustie last year.
HAWAII JUNIORS MAKE IT ALL THE WAY
Way to go Hawaii Junior Golfers! Hawaii practically stole the spotlight at the ReBath Heather Farr Classic as the American Junior Golf Association golf season begins. There were three Hawaii born players, both male and female, who won or came close to winning this prestigious event. I can’t think of a better way for the many Hawaii families who have made enormous sacrifices for their kids who are passionate about the game of golf.
As the American Junior Golf Association season begins, we'll be talking with the AJGA folks on May 3rd.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Longbow Golf Club, the ReBath Heather Farr Classic featured 138 players from 20 states, Canada, the Cayman Islands and Scotland. The field consisted of 90 boys and 48 girls, ages 12-18, and included 15 Rolex Junior All-Americans. Playing to a par 71, Longbow Golf Club measured 7,001 yards for the boys and 6,150 yards for the girls. The 54-hole stroke play event's past champions list includes Hunter Mahan (1999), Philip Francis (2006), Amanda Blumenherst (2002) and Paula Creamer (2003, 2004).
For Kaahanui, of Tempe but whose family actually comes from Kahuku and is well known for the number of football players in the family, was playing in his fourth AJGA event, the age factor didn’t make a difference.
"A lot of people say, 'you're good, don't worry. Play your game and have fun out there,'" Kaahanui said.
"That really helps, it makes me feel better." Entering the event relatively unknown, a pair of 65s in the first two rounds grabbed everyone's attention. After building an eight-shot advantage in the Boys Division, Kaahanui coasted to victory with a 2-over-par 73 Sunday for a tournament total of 65-65-73--203.
"Today didn't feel much different than any other day," he said. "I played my game and didn't worry about other players. But I did feel more confident with a big lead."
Although his final round was slow starting, as he made three bogeys in his first five holes, Kaahanui played his remaining holes at 1-under-par and never saw his lead fall below five strokes.
"Everything's been going well these three days," he said. "This is a big tournament, so I just put a lot more thought into every shot. Winning this tournament opens up a lot of opportunities." In second place, five shots back, was Nicholas Losole III, of Scottsdale, Ariz., who shot 68-71-69--208. Tied for third: Rak Cho of Brea, Calif., James Erkenbeck of San Diego, and Robbie Ziegler of Canby, Ore., at 210.
Thank you to the AJGA for the interview with Kaahanui.
In the Girls Division, 13-year old Kyung Kim, of Chandler but also originally from Hawaii, was playing in only her third AJGA event, so it is understandable that she developed a case of nerves. Fortunately, those nerves didn't show up until she was standing over a six-foot putt on the final hole. Clinging to a two-stroke lead, Kim was not about to let victory slip from her grasp.
15-year old Danielle Frasier started the final round with a one-shot lead, Kim parred the first six holes, while Frasier bogeyed her first three in a stiff morning wind. Kim took the lead after the second hole and never gave it up.
"It was difficult today because it was windy and the pin placements were hard," Kim said. "Many of the holes were right behind bunkers."
The wind didn't knock Kim off course. She made two birdies and two bogeys for an even par round and finished the tournament at 70-68-71--209. No one in the field scored lower on Sunday. Her final hole told the story, as she came to the tee with a two-shot lead.
After hitting her tee shot down the middle, she had her work cut out for her on the 411-yard par 4. "I hit a 7-wood into the green because the wind was in my face," Kim said. "I had a six-foot putt and my hands were shaking. It was the last hole and everybody was watching."
Just as she had all day, Kim stayed calm under pressure, draining the birdie putt to close out a three-stroke victory.
After leading the first two days, Frasier fell into second place with a 1-under-par total of 212. Tied for third place was a pair of Hawaiians, Stephanie Kono of Honolulu and Kimberly Kim of Pahoa, at 215. Kono tied Kim for the low final round at even-par 71.
Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.
AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.
WOODS 5TH WIN 2008 AT ARNOLD PALMERS’ BAYHILL
Tiger Woods was going through a “deja vue” moment on the final hole of the 2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. It was the 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole from 7 years ago come back to haunt him. Woods zeroed in on that ball, studied it, and then struck the ball. As it rolled, he backed up, his eyes never leaving the ball. A third of the way to the hole, the putt took a break to the right. Woods crouched with his right hand moving towards his hat. When the putt went into, Woods jumped to his feet, and slammed his hat on the ground and let out a roar.
Just a couple minutes later, Tiger looked confused. Why was his caddie Steve Williams handing him his hat? Woods said,
“I was like, ‘How did he get my hat?’ I need to see the highlights. I was so into the moment of the putt going in and winning the golf tournament.”
Woods and Palmer hugged, and Palmer said: "It doesn't surprise me you made the putt." To those around him, Palmer added: "Damn, I used to play and I know about these things. That's unbelievable."
It was the 64th victory on the PGA Tour for Woods, just 32 years old, tying him with Ben Hogan for third place on the career list behind Sam Snead (82) and Jack Nicklaus (73). Earlier this year, Woods passed Palmer (62). "It's pretty amazing to be in that kind of company," Woods said. "I've had an amazing run in my career, and hopefully, it continues."
He closed with a six-under-par 66 for a 270 total, 10 under par, to win by one stroke over Bart Bryant, who shot 67 but said he was not surprised by the winning putt. "That's why he's Tiger Woods," Bryant said. "He has an incredible way of pulling off the shot or the putt when he needs to. He's done it before. He'll do it again."
AN AUSSIE ENDS TIGERS RUN, A SOUTH AFRICAN HIS GRAND SLAM
Sometimes you’ve got to trust in the methodical par. Geoff Ogilvy didn’t think it would be enough to hold off Retief Goosen, Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods but in the end it was. With 5 of the top 10 players in the world hunting him down in the final round of the World Golf Championships-CA Championship, Ogilvy just kept knocking them in on the number and walked away with the $1.35 million dollar check and another World Golf Championship title.
MASTERS
This was the 51st appearance by Player in the Masters field, a record number. Palmer held the record at 50 until this year.
First lifted by fellow South African Gary Player at the tender age of five, Trevor Immelman fittingly rewarded the support of his boyhood idol by winning his maiden major title at the U.S. Masters. The 28-year-old Immelman achieved a lifelong dream becoming the first South African to clinch the green jacket since Player himself in 1978. Player, who has long compared Immelman's swing with golfing great Ben Hogan, spurred on the young South African with a timely telephone message on the eve of Sunday's final round. "I've always dreamed about winning majors and, deep down, I always thought I was good enough," a relieved but joyful Immelman told reporters after signing off with a three-over-par 75 for a three-stroke victory. "But at times you obviously doubt yourself because you miss a few cuts and you screw up a few times. You're just like: 'Man, maybe I'm not as good, or not good enough.'
| Audio Clip (.mp3) |
| Click here to listen to Trevor Immelman talk about winning in the "Tiger Era" |
| Audio Clip (.mp3) |
| Click here to listen to Brendt Snedeker talk about his 2nd place finish |
PASSING OF THE TORCH
The weekend Lorena Ochoa was winning her second LPGA major of the year at the Kraft Nabisco, Amy Alcott was finishing the second round at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, with tears in her eyes as she walked up the 18th for the last time. She was playing her last round of her career on the LPGA Tour. “This is not an easy thing to do, because I have so much of my personal golf history tied to this tournament.” It was Alcott who started the winners’ tradition of jumping into the lake surround the 18th green after her 1988 win.
In the Ochoa era, the jumping into the lake has taken on a larger team “espris de corps”. I counted at least 15 of Ochoa’s family, friends and supporters frolicking in the water with her. But that may not be so unusual for a woman who is not afraid to say hello to her fans. She made headlines for visiting the Ping golf factory and thanking the Ping employees, many of them Hispanic. I can’t think of any other golfer who has gone down to the assembly line to express their appreciation for their good work.
Nicole Perot was listed as a WD because she didn’t show up for her pro-am tee time.
Mi Hyun Kim spent 78 days in a South Korean hospital recovering from knee surgery during the off-season. Her knee held up nicely with a finish tied for 6th.
Kimberly Kim withdrew from the Kraft Nabisco because she had family issues or was sick, depending on which publication you read.
Duke junior Amanda Blumenhurst earned low-amateur honors, finishing 30th at 5 over 293.
OCHOA TO THE LPGA HALL OF FAME
I’ve asked this question time and time again. Why does the LPGA schedule an event opposite the most honored golf event in the world? They keep telling me they are still fine tuning their “product”.
Well, in case you didn’t notice, the LPGA played the Corona Championship in Mexico. Lorena Ochoa won by a huge margin AND, at the tender age of 26, is already qualified for the World Golf Hall of Fame via the LPGA points system. Winning the Corona Championship earned her the 27th point:
Here are how Ochoa's points break down:
2 majors = 4 points
19 "regular" LPGA Tour wins = 19 points
2 Player of the Year awards = 2 points
2 scoring titles = 2 points
That's 27 points total, and that means enshrinement into the World Golf Hall of Fame. But Ochoa will have to wait until 2012, because the LPGA's last requirement is that a golfer must have 10 years of service time. Ochoa won't meet that requirement for another four years.
LPGA MEXICO – PART ONE
OLYMPIC GOLF
They’re all jumping on the Olympic bandwagon. Most recently, PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem says he supports the addition of golf. That came after Masters chairman Billy Payne said he’d like to see us going for the gold in golf because it would increase the sport’s worldwide appeal and generate funding for foreign youth golf programs through the national Olympic committees. In an email, Finchem wrote, “By taking a leadership role, the PGA Tour can ensure that this is pursued with the best interests of our membership, tournaments, sponsors and television partners in mind.”
The earliest we’d see golf on the Olympics lineup would be the 2016 games but the decision by the International Olympic Committee will come next year. The question is, what sport are they going to ax to make room for golf. That’s a very touchy subject since many of the sports are considered “national” treasures.
LPGA DRUG TESTING
The Fields Open in Hawaii will be remembered for the botched first attempt by the LPGA to conduct drug testing. Kelli Kuehne was one of the many players who had to wait hours before she was allowed to deliver the sample. Now that’s holding it a long time.
The LPGA has fired Comprehensive Drug Testing for its botched job at the Fields. National Center for Drug Free Sport will take over the tour’s testing.
LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens said she wanted a company that was more flexible. “We chose to part company for many different reasons, the most important of which is that we are pioneering in this case. As a result we need to be extremely flexible, and we need a partner that is extremely flexible. We need to be able to take learning from the first hour of the drug testing event; we need to be nimble enough to make changes for the next hour.”
Drug Free Sport says it plans to err on the side of overstaffing to ensure players don’t have to, as I’d say, “wait to go”.
MICHELLE WIE
She has accepted a sponsors exemption to play in the Wegman’s LPGA, June 19-22, and the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, July 10-13. The following week, Wie will play in the LPGA State Farm Classic at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Illinois. In a statement, Wie said: "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to play in this year's LPGA State Farm Classic. I have had the good fortune of making a career out of something I love at a very young age and tournaments like the State Farm Classic allow me to give something back to the community and fans."
ALOHA SECTION PGA BIG ISLAND CANDIES SCOTCH 4-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Aloha Section PGA announces the final results of the 2008 Aloha Section PGA Big Island Candies Scotch 4-Ball Championship played at the Jack Nicklaus designed course, The Club at Hokuli'a on the Big Island on March 30-31, 2008. The Competition is a 36-hole stroke play team event. 26 teams of 52 island professionals played for a $13,500 purse.
David Gerken of The King Kamehameha Golf Club and Bill Conroy of Wailea Golf Club shot a 2-under par 70 in the final round alternate shot format to go with a best ball 65 in the first round for a total 9-under par 135 to capture the title. First round leaders Brad Bowen of Kahili Golf Club and Joe Phengsavath of Mid Pacific CC came in tied for second with a two-day total 5-under par 139 (64-75). 2004 and 2005 champions John Lynch of GolfTEC and Beau Yokomoto of Pearl CC also came in second place with a 66-73-139. Defending champions Kyle Herzberg and Mark Morrison 68-73-141 and 2001 champions Andrew Feldmann and Larry Stubblefield 70-71-141 came in tied for fourth place.
The Scotch 4-Ball Championship is the first major tournament of 2008 earning the winning team $3,500 as well as valuable points towards Governor's Cup selection and Section PGA Player of the Year. This event is normally a member-only event, and in an effort to increase participation, the Section allowed apprentices in good standing to participate this year.
The Club at Hokuli'a is an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus design that plays to 7,335 yards, par 72. Special thanks to our title sponsor - Big Island Candies, Inc. Big Island Candies was established in 1977 to manufacture and market fine quality macadamia nut candies and cookies. All products are made at the company's Hilo headquarters.
2008 ALOHA SECTION ASSISTANTS FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
24 two-man teams of island professionals played for a purse of $6,600 at the Honolulu Country Club. Kalani Kiaaina and Ken Nakano of the Hawaii Prince Golf Club walked away the winners with a two-day combined total of 13-under par 131. The event is made for Assistant Professionals and Apprentices from all across the state so they can spend some time together, network and trade experiences. This year it was held at the beginning of March at the Honolulu Country Club with lots of help from the Honolulu Country Club, tournament chair Aaron Benedetti and Les Tamashiro of Titleist/Cobra.
2008 BETTY CROCKER LANDSCAPE AWARDS
Nominations are being accepted for the sixth annual Betty Crocker Landscape Awards. This program annually honors the best of Hawaii’s garden and landscape projects and the individuals who make them happen. Deadline for nominations is May 15. Nominations are being sought in four categories:
Private individuals. These are local homeowners and others who help create a better Hawaii and spread their gardening aloha by simply beautifying their front and back yards for all to see.
Professional projects. This category covers professional landscape architects, government planners, gardeners and caretakers whose projects show a high degree of excellence and enhance the scenic beauty of the state.
Volunteers, public spaces and non-profit groups. Winners include those who take care of public and private spaces, including schools, parks, and public right-of-ways, thereby maintaining and adding to the natural greening of Hawaii.
Xeriscaping. This category includes projects whose landscaping and gardening efforts are consistent with best natural practices, especially those that include Native Hawaiian and other “less thirsty” plants.
Nominations should include the name, address and phone number of the landscaping project, the person principally responsible for the work, and the nominator. They should also include detailed written descriptions and photographs of the project.
Nominations can be sent to:
Scenic Hawaii, P.O. Box 10501, Honolulu, HI 96816
Or by email: Bettycrockerawards@gmail.com
AVANCE CHANGES HANDS
Long time hair stylist Gale sold her shop, Avance, to Mid-Pacific Country Club member Deb, about a month ago. Gale was ready for a getaway to the Big Island, permanently, and Deb was ready for a challenge, her own salon.
If you have long hair, Sharon Namahoe is a long hair specialist.
If you have short hair, guys and gals, Avance is conveniently located with lots of free parking.
Call 942 4005 for your hair and nails. Bev does a great job on hands and feet.
I look forward to seeing you “on top the radio” in the “clubhouse” where we get together every Saturday morning at 7AM.
Until then, thank you for your Mana and may you hit the sweet spot every time!
Aloha,
Danielle
