Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
This is THE month for Michelle Wie. It’s not just the final exams at Stanford, which would be enough to make any freshman college student gain 15 pounds in stress alone. December is the month Wie has to perform at her peak for 5 grueling days to get her playing privileges and become a full-fledged member of the LPGA Tour. If she doesn’t, she’ll get the sponsor exemptions because she is still has that star quality most already on the Tour wished they possessed. She still draws the crowds, generates the buzz and brings home the bacon for everyone, even if she doesn’t get the satisfaction of performing at the level she knows she is capable of.
Maybe by the time you’ve read this, you know the outcome. This column is written many days before it’s published on the first of the month. I just hope the stars align and the golfing gods give her the breaks every golfer needs to win. In these times of frugal spending, and with Annika Sorenstam leaving to begin the next chapter in her life with her family, the LPGA could use some more U.S. star power that exports easily. She fulfills the best of both worlds, keeping U.S. fans happy and global interest strong.
Wie is one of 142 young women vying for her playing card December 1 – 7 at the LPGA International (Champions and Legends Course) in Daytona, Florida.
The five-day final qualifier will have a 72-hole cut to the low-70 players and ties. Those players will compete on Sunday on the Champions course for the final 18 holes of play. The top 20 players at the conclusion of the event will earn Priority in Category 11. In the event of a tie, a playoff will decide the 20th position. Players finishing in the 21st-30th spots earn Priority in Category 16, followed by 31st-40th, who will receive Priority in Category 20.
ALOHA SECTION PGA
Coming up on December 9, you are invited to the 2008 Hawaii Golf Industry Conference. It’s open to folks from all walks of life, because we are all going through a period in our history many playing the game of golf today never had to experience, the economy of the early 1970’s, right after the end of the Vietnam “war”.
The fighting in Vietnam was a boon to Hawaii’s economy. The soldiers came to Hawaii for a week of “R & R”, short for rest and relaxation. They came, by the thousands, and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars. And then one day it all came to an end. No more “R & R”. No more “shore leave”.
Don’t get me wrong. I was happy the war was over. And the economy slipped.
Then came the gas lines of 1974 with the oil embargo and credit card interest rates went over 20 percent. (That was when interest on credit card was tax deductible.) We didn’t see the “good times” return until the mid 80’s, ten years later.
What if this slowdown in our economy lasts until 2018? We’ve got to have a plan.
The 6th biennial Hawaii Golf Industry Conference is a consensus building opportunity to develop a marketing plan to position Hawaii as the top golf destination of choice for visitors and residents. We have our work cut out for us. It’s a position coveted by most of the 50 states and countries around the world.
If you’re in real estate, transportation, travel, hospitality, hotel or restaurant business, this conference is for you. The game and business of golf impacts everyone in business. Golfers are people who need the same things everyone else who comes here does, plus.
Call the Aloha Section PGA at 593-2230 to register. If you are on a Neighbor Island, call toll free at 1-877-742-6248. The conference is being held at the Koolau Golf Club on Tuesday, December 9th. Moderators include NBC Sports golf analyst Mark Rolfing, PGA of America incoming president Jim Remy, HSGA executive director Hal Okita, USGA regional director Larry Gilhuly, independent director for the PGA of America and co-founder of the HSJGA Mary Bea Porter King, and president of Waikoloa Land Co. Thos Rohr, among others.
You may have a chance to play in the Hawaii Golf Industry Conference Pro-Am, a 5-person scramble the afternoon of the conference, but it may be filled up since it’s first come, first served.
THE USA HAWAII JAPAN JUNIOR CUP
Hawaii’s stellar team of junior golfers beat the defending Japan junior golf team in the Ryder Cup style event at the Waikoloa King’s Course!
Day One
We started off with a terrific first day. The Hawaii team won 6.5 of the 11 points in the 2nd annual USA Hawaii Japan Junior Cup played at the Waikoloa Beach Resort Kings’ Course on the Big Island. The teams played Four-Ball Match Play, which pits two players from Hawaii against two players from Japan.
Day Two
Match play continued with Foursomes Match Play, which is also called alternate shot. It involves two players from Hawaii alternating shots and matching scores on each hole against the other two opponents alternating shots. Hawaii won 8 of the available 11 points, extending the lead to 14.5 to 7.5 going into the final day. Since Hawaii lost last year, we had to make 22.5 points to win the Cup.
Day Three
Singles play and the Japan High School Golf Association came on strong, winning 12 of the 22 matches. But with the lead Hawaii had going into day three, the top players from the Hawaii State Junior Golf Associations’ ten victories were enough to give Hawaii 24.5 points to Japans’ 19.5.
Hawaii's David Fink, officially signed to play for Oregon State University next year. Inoka Kahawaii and Brian Lee went down to the wire, losing to their Japanese opponents 1 UP. Taeksoo Kim, Alina Ching, Justin Kelly, Henry Park, Alex Chu, Anna Jang, Bradley Shigezawa, Cassy Isagawa, Marissa Chow and Kelli Oride were among the winners on the final day. And it's a good thing too. Hawaii had to make at least 24 points to win the USA Hawaii Japan Junior Cup and they did but by only a half poin!
Next year, Hawaii will fly to Japan to defend the Cup. The event, conducted by the HSJGA and the JHSGA, brings 44 of the best young players, 13 boys and 9 girls on each team, between the ages of 13 and 18, to play this match play tournament.
HSJGA President Mary Bea Porter-King said, “This was well earned by our Hawaii Team. They played spirited golf and never stopped battling. I’m very proud of them. I also commend the Japan squad for their outstanding play and congratulate all of the young golfers for exhibiting wonderful sportsmanship throughout the week.”
None of this would be possible without the support of the sponsors including Hilton Grand Vacations and Japan Airlines.
US RYDER CUP TO WHITE HOUSE
President Bush hosted the 2008 U.S Ryder Cup Team and Captain Paul Azinger at the White House last month where President George W. Bush told the team he was an avid follower of “every minute” of their move to victory.
Seven of the 12-member U.S. Team were joined by Azinger and assistant captain Raymond Floyd in meeting Bush, who was joined in the Oval Office by Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. "This was the icing on the cake for me and the players," said Azinger, who said that he was making his fourth White House trip, but first as a Captain.
European Ryder Cup Captain Nick Faldo says he’d love to have another chance to lead the European Team.
TURTLE BAY RESORT COLLEGE INVITATIONAL
The University of Hawaii men’s golf team finished in a three-way tie for eighth place, with Oregon and Pepperdine, at the Turtle Bay Resort College Invitational in the middle of last month. Their team score was 2-over par 877 with rounds of 285, 296 and 285.
UH’s top scorer was senior Robert Berton who finished in a tie for 6th place with scores of 69, 74 and 67 for a total of 210. Two shots back was freshman T.J. Kua. He finished tied for 14th at 4-under par 212 with rounds of 70, 67 and 75.
Warriors other teammates were freshman Jared Sawada (71-81-69=221/T56th), sophomore Kamden Brakel (75-79-74=228/T89th), and senior Cody Pewarchuk (77-76-75=228/T89th). Participating as individuals for UH were senior Chase Bingham (74-77-73=224/T74th), freshman Pono Calip (79-80-76=235/98th), and sophomore Daniel Soglanich (80-99-78=257/102nd).
Texas won the tournament with a 21-under par team total of 843. Vaughn Snyder of Ohio State won the individual title at 11-under par 205. Bobby Massa of University of Texas-Arlington tied the George Fazio Course Record with a final round of 10-under par 62.
GOLF MAGAZINE TOP TEN OF THE YEAR – THE MIND – DR. GROBER
You can learn how to use the Sonic Golf System-1 with Master PGA Bill Greenleaf at the Dunes at Maui Lani on Maui.
Dr. Bob Grober, 46, designed the "tempo tuner" that helped Vijay Singh win the FedEx Cup. "The human ear is wonderful at pattern recognition, and that can be the secret to creating a smooth, repetitive swing. My Sonic Golf System-1 works on that principle by turning your swing into sound. The more rhythmic your tone, the more rhythmic your swing. Here's how it works: Sensors in the shaft insert measure your club speed throughout your swing, 400 times per second. Those sensors then talk to a microprocessor that converts the measurements into audio, which you hear through a headset. When your swing speed is slow, the corresponding sound is low and soft; when it is fast, the sound is high and loud. It's useful for all levels of golfers. Novices, for example, can focus on grooving a smooth, uniform swing speed; better golfers will want to ensure that their top speed occurs at impact; and Tour pros, like Vijay, can analyze the transition between their backswing and downswing by listening for a brief pause in the tone. When a respected player comes up to me and asks how quickly I can get him a system ... man, that's cool." See a demo at sonicgolf.com
THE WAIKOLOA WOMEN’S GOLF CHALLENGE
Every year, women gather on the Big Island at the Waikoloa Resort for fun, pampering, and competitive golf in the Waikoloa Women’s Golf Challenge. In addition, they were treated to an insightful golf clinic with LPGA Cindy Rarick. Plus, the event raises money for charity. This year, a check for $4310 was presented for the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association and the Waikoloa Foundation.
The women played in two flights. In the Plumeria Flight, 1st Place went to Lily Yao and Bev Kim, a formidable duo with rounds of 66 and 63. Yao is from Honolulu and Kim from Wahiawa. 2nd Place to Kathy Solberg and Joyce Sharp. Both are members of the Waikoloa King’s Club, live on the mainland. Solberg in Kent, WA and Sharp from W. Vancouver, BC. They had rounds of 70 and 66. 3rd Place to Jan Jordan and Julie Smith. The sisters also live on the mainland, Jordan in Lebanon, OR and Smith in Orland, CA. They were just one shot out of second with rounds of 70 and 67.
In the Hibiscus Flight 1st Place, Kay Brooks and Sharon Goodman. They are sisters from Kohala shooting 66 and 63.
2nd Place Jan Junkin and Ginny Shillington. They came in from California. Junkin from La Quinta and Shillington from Bonsall. They turned in rounds of 65 and 69. 3rd Place Akiko Lundstrom and Linda Kaneshiro. They are both from the Big Island. Lundstrom from Kailua-Kona and Kaneshiro from Kamuela, one of my favorite places on earth. They shot 70 and 68.
Congratulations to all of the women who came and played and we hope to see you back next year. By the way, YOU are invited too. Women from around the world and all across the state can have fun and play the great golf courses at Waikoloa.
Thank you to Lily Yao and Bev Kim for their great work with the HSJGA.
2008 BRIDGESTONE PRO-SCRATCH CHAMPIONSHIP
Congratulations to Leland Lindsay and Travis Toyama. Their 19-under par (63-62=125) meant a paycheck of $2,000 for the pro, and gift certificates totaling $600 for the amateur. That’s how the event is played. The two-man teams are made up of one professional and one amateur, who plays scratch, in a best ball of two format.
Trailing close behind with a total score of 18-under par 126 was brothers Norman-Ganin Asao/Kellen-Floyd Asao. Coming in third with a team total of 17-under par 127 was Matt Pakkala/Mark Scheibach.
Thank you to Bridgestone and representative Del-Marc Fujita for creating this event back in 2001 and producing it since, with the help of the staff of the Pearl Country Club, of course. 40 teams were entered this year, a sellout.
2008 NIKE /GOLF CONCEPTS – ALOHA SECTION PGA 4-BALL MATCH PLAY
By Shawn McCauley, Tournament Director, Aloha Section PGA
The team of Andrew Feldmann (Oahu CC) & Larry Stubblefield (ASPGA) successfully defended their seventh consecutive title by earning a 1up win after going 2 extra holes against the tough duo of Jerry Mullen (ATP) and Damien Jamila (ATP). Both teams played some great golf today battling it out for the first place check. It was a birdie fest between the two teams with a combined 13 birdies in the match. Finally, on the 20th hole of the match Larry Stubblefield drained a six-footer to birdie the hole and capture the title for Team Stubblefield / Feldmann.
Sixteen (16) teams of thirty-two (32) island professionals played for a purse of $11,800. The winning team will take home $3,500 as well as valuable points towards Governor’s Cup selection and Section PGA Player of the Year.
Special thank you to title sponsor – Jay Hinazumi of Nike Golf/Golf Concepts and the staff at Oahu Country Club.
THE GOVENORS CUP
It’s the Ryder Cup of Hawaii for the local professionals and the local amateurs. But it’s not being played when or where you’d expect after following this event. The professionals and amateurs are playing up at the Turtle Bay Resort this year after changing the date. It was decided playing the Prince Resorts Hawaii State Open at the Hawaii Prince Course one week and the Governors John A. Burns Cup the next at Mid Pacific Country Club would be too demanding.
Tough to get that much time off from work or school.
Mid Pac couldn’t accommodate the new date because of an earlier commitment and so the location was changed as well.
MAKALEI AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
It was a come from behind victory for Henry Park of Waikoloa at the Makalei Amateur Championship this year. Park was four shots behind first round leader David Masterson when day two got underway. Park shot the low round of the day to pull off the victory with a 72. Add that to his first day 75 for a two-day total of 147. Park is a senior at Kealakehe High School and will be playing for the University of Hawaii at Manoa next year.
Championship Flight (Low Gross)
1st Place Henry Park 75 – 72 147
2nd Place Shaun Downie 73 – 77 150
3rd Place David Masterson 71 – 79 150
A-Flight (Low Gross)
1st Place Jason Ng 83 – 80 163
2nd Place Ron Abran 80 – 85 165
3rd Place Les Salisbury 87 – 82 169
B-Flight (Low Net)
1st Place Ken Alton 66 – 75 141
2nd Place William McFeeley 76 – 70 146
3rd Place Jay Torioka 73 – 73 146
Womens Flight (Low Net)
1st Place Helen Lee 65 – 69 134
2nd Place Patty Wall 74 – 68 142
3rd Place Janis Walker 74 – 70 144
The field scored with two days of great weather two thousand feet above the beautiful Kona coastline at Makalei.
McGLADREY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Hawaii is moving up the leaderboard at the McGladrey Team National Championship.
This year the Hawaii team came in 12th. Princeville represented Hawaii after a series of local and then the sectional qualifier.
PGA Professional Steve Murphy teamed up with the winning amateur team of Dana Palama, Keith Yamamoto and Rory Rayno to represent Princeville’s Prince Course and the State of Hawaii at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. There were 41 teams from around the country playing on three of Pinehurst’s layouts, Numbers 2, 4, and 8.
The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is a best-ball championship managed by the PGA of America. The net best-ball event is open to male and female golfers of all levels, offering all golfers a chance to play in a national championship. Get your team ready for 2009!
ALII CUP
By Lee Hardy
Steady play and solid nerves kept Neal Iverson calm as he claimed the 2008 Alii Cup this weekend at the Kona Country Club. Iverson beat Peter Liljeholm 2&1 in the championship match on the Ocean Course.
Despite heavy rains in the early morning, it turned out to be a great day in Keauhou and even greater for Iverson.
Earlier Sunday, Iverson needed extra holes in his semifinal match with Wayne Brumaghim—Iverson winning the 20th hole to make the finals with Liljeholm.
Liljeholm cruised to victory in his semifinal match over Greg Larson 4&2 before running into Iverson on Sunday afternoon.
After qualifying for the Open division with a 78 on Friday, Iverson struggled to get by Jimmy McDonald 1-up on Saturday morning’s match. Iverson got paired against Galvin Fujii in his quarterfinal match and squeaked out a 2&1 victory in the afternoon.
Tandy Kualii, last year’s Alii Cup champion, took Senior division honors with a 4&3 win over Milton Alcos. Pat McGinnis took the Golden Senior division title 1-up over Jim Sheeley.
The Alii Cup committee would like to say a big mahalo to the title sponsor, Honsador, for making this match play event possible. Brian Hansen and Don Parker were instrumental in making this tournament a huge success. Also special thanks to Mike Yukon and his staff at the Kona Country Club for getting the golf course in tremendous shape.
THE BIG EIGHT GO FOR THE GOLD…OLYMPIC GOLF
It’s been over a century since golf was played in the Olympics. But only two countries competed for men’s medals in individual and team events at the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis.
Last month, the International Golf Federation formally presented its case for golf to become an Olympic sport.
The idea has the backing of the PGA of America, the PGA Tour, the Royal & Ancient, the PGA European Tour, the United States Golf Association, the LPGA and the Augusta National Golf Club.
Golf is in a play-off against baseball, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, softball and squash for being accepted into the Olympic fold. The International Olympic Committee will only choose two. Before that decision is made, each sport will officially respond to any questions the IOC Program Committee has, and then a second presentation will be made in June with the final vote in October. If golf is voted in, it’ll be played in the 2016 Games.
HOLIDAY GIFT?
Your holiday shopping could be as easy as contacting the folks at Titleist. The Titleist Golf Ball Dozens is back. Now through December 31, 2008, personalization charges will be waived on all Titleist Pro V1, Pro V1x, NXT Tour, NXT Extreme, DT Carry and DT Roll golf balls. On any order of just one dozen or more, you can create your own message imprinted on a Titleist golf ball in up to three lines of block text in red, blue, green or black ink colors. In addition, for each personalized dozen purchased, you will receive a free Titleist ball marker, while supplies of the markers last. Call your favorite golf shop for details.
NO “R” WORD FOR SORENSTAM
In an interview with “USA Today”, Annika Sorenstam made it very clear she isn’t closing any doors. “I will definitely miss the competition,” Sorenstam says. “But I won’t miss the daily grind needed to get into that position.” This is what she is talking about.
"The daily grind of constantly putting golf first and always waking up in the morning and really feeling that you have to perform, going to the gym and grinding and hitting ball after ball after ball, those are the parts that I will not miss. The motivation to do that, I just don't have that anymore."
As for her record on the golf course this year, Sorenstam says, "It's been different, and I wish I could have played better, but I think that mentally, I've made the decision, and I'm moving forward," she says. "I'm absorbing the atmosphere, absorbing every week and saying goodbye.”
After she played the Lexus Cup in Singapore, and the ADT Championship at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, she is on her way to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she is designing a course and then she’ll make her final start in the Dubai Ladies Master on the Ladies European Tour on December 10th.
RISING STAR
The 18-year-old won the US Amateur championship in August, and has since accepted a series of invitations to play in professional tournaments. At the Singapore Open won by Indian golfer Jeev Milka Singh over Padraig Harrington, Phil Mickleson, Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott, finished tied for 32th after a disappointing final round. That didn’t damper the excitement. He’s thinking about turning pro earlier than planned. And he is a hot property.
Lee was seen in the company of Tony Bouffler, head of the Sydney-based AJB Sports Management, which looks after the business affairs of numerous top Australasian golfers. Andrew Chandler, head of the England-based International Sports Management (ISM), was another to introduce himself to the Lee. Gaylord Sports chief executive Steve Loy was in Singapore looking after the interests of its leading golf client Phil Mickelson but it also didn't stop Loy extolling the virtues of Lee eventually signing with his company. Moments after Lee had completed his closing round he was met by an Asian Tour-based representative of golf's largest management company, IMG, which runs the business affairs of Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and New Zealand's Michael Campbell among others. "I've met a lot of managers this week but I let my dad and my uncle handle that aspect," Lee said.
STRUGGLING STAR
No golf on the schedule, John Daly was having some fun with friends when he found himself “under arrest” and sleeping it off in a North Carolina county jail. According to the Winston-Salem police, Daly seemed “extremely intoxicated and uncooperative”. Daly was found outside a Hooters restaurant but he says it was just a misunderstanding. If only his friends knew he tends to sleep with his eyes wide open. Daly said the driver of his private bus, parked near Hooters, panicked when he saw Daly and called the paramedics.
"The bus driver called 911 because my eyes were open,'' Daly said. "I said, 'What's going on?' He said, 'We thought you were dead.' Anybody who knows me ... when I'm tired, I sleep with my eyes open. They know it takes awhile to wake me up.''
Daly said he wanted to go to a hotel, but was told someone sober had to be with him. That's when he was introduced to a North Carolina law called "Assistance to Intoxicated Persons.''
Now Daly is looking for a place to play next year, with Europe his top consideration. His agent at SFX Sports says he’s looking at his options. "In Europe, he's always enjoyed playing over there. I think he would be welcomed warmly by the European tour.''
Daly said even if he could get into PGA Tour events, he could not play enough in a row to build confidence and momentum. He did end November with play in Melbourne, Australia and the UBS Hong Kong Open.
PS
John Daly is truly an amazing character. A couple of weeks out of the orange jumpsuit and he's firing a 62 in the final round of the Hong Kong Open. That round vaulted him from 55th place to a tied for 17th after 54 holes. Way to go John.
YOU WANT TO PLAY BETHPAGE BLACK?
Michael Jordan has agreed to take part in the "Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge," according to an official involved in the event. He will join Justin Timberlake, another celebrity and one amateur who best explains in a six-word essay why he or she can break 100. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the celebrities have not been announced. Woods was the only player to break par when the U.S. Open was held at Bethpage Black in 2002, winning by three shots. It was Woods' comment two years ago at Oakmont — that a 10-handicapper couldn't break 100 at the U.S. Open — that led Golf Digest and the USGA to put together a test in the days leading up to the event.
Earlier this year at Torrey Pines, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo shot an 84 in the challenge, while "Today" host Matt Lauer shot 100 and the amateur winner, Nebraska sales John Atkinson, shot 114. For the amateurs, the biggest challenge might be writing such a short essay — six words, down from 100 last year. They also can submit a 60-second video. They have until Jan. 31 to submit their entries on http://www.gdopencontest.com/. Thank you Doug Ferguson.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Between January and February, it’s wall to wall professional golf in Hawaii.
The Mercedes Benz Championship begins at the Kapalua Plantation Course on Maui, for winners of the PGA Tour 2007 events, on January 5th with the Mercedes Benz pro-am and ends January 11th. Log on to Kapalua.com for ticket information.
The Sony Open in Hawaii at the Waialae Country Club on Oahu, the first full field event on the PGA Tour begins January 12 – 18th. Tickets are available at all First Hawaiian Bank branches.
Wendy’s Champions Skins Game at Kaanapali Golf Course, January 17-18. Call Kaanapali for tickets at 808 661 3691.
The Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualala’i on the Big Island, for the winners of the Champions Tour events in 2007. Tickets are available by calling 800 417-2270 or at the gate.
The SBS Open at Turtle Bay Resort, Palmer Course, is the first full field LPGA tournament in 2008, Feb. 12 – 14th. Tickets available at First Hawaiian Bank.
Now to the VOLUNTEERS
You’ll get a free shirt, hat and meals and the excitement of being inside the ropes so if you want to volunteer your time to not only make the event possible but to raise money for charity, GOLF needs you.
Just some of the positions that are open include walking scorekeepers, drivers, communications, marshals, walking scoreboard, gatekeepers and here are the people who’d love to hear from you:
Mercedes Benz Championship on Maui: Kim Corniel 808 669-2440
Sony Open in Hawaii on Oahu: Office staff at 808 523-7888
Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai: Dick and Ellen Fearing 808 329-1271
SBS Open: 808 523 7888 and to caddy call Jeff Ferry 808 226-2220
I hope you had a pleasant Thanksgiving weekend and I wish you the best in the holiday season and the coming new year.
I hope you’ll join us in “The Golf Club”, Saturday mornings, on the radio.
You can always email me by going to http://www.radiogolfclub.com/ and click on the contact link.
Until next time, thank you for your Mana and may you hit the sweet spot every time.
Aloha,
Danielle
