She didn't start off the 60th Jennie K. Wilson Invitational in spectacular fashion but she certainly finished it that way. And Kristina Merkle knows how to close. This is Merkle¹s fourth win in the Jennie K. tournament, the most prestigious woman's amateur event in Hawaii. She did it back to back in 2006 and 2007 and again this year and last. The Moanalua High School graduate and now a University of Tulsa freshman just keeps getting better.
 
There were a number of top Hawaii "junior" players and many of our former juniors who are continuing to follow their passion competing in top amateur events while pursing their careers, like Bobbi Kokx. She teaches elementary school on Maui and still competes in the Championship flight.
 
The Jennie K. Wilson Invitational is also expanding its reach. This year three Japanese junior golfers had the opportunity to win their way into the Jennie K. They won a junior event in Japan and got the invite and came to Hawaii. This is an exciting expansion and recreates for women's golf in Hawaii what the folks at the Pearl Country Club have been doing for men coming from the Japan and other Asian countries in the Pearl Open.

Tied for 2nd place in the 2010 Jennie K. Wilson Invitational at 7-over par respectively was Allisen Corpuz 73--223 and Hayley Young 75--223.

The tournament committee would like to congratulate the winners of each flight and thank all the participants for playing. We look forward to you joining us again next year as we continue the rich legacy of the tournament by continuing to honor island treasure, Jennie K. Wilson

There is a secret to the success of the Jennie K. over these 60 years. It’s the camaraderie amongst the women. The members of the Mid Pacific Country Club take it upon themselves to organize the Jennie K and that includes the awards dinner. Nothing unusual about that you may say but you have to be there to truly appreciate the fun the women have and the bonding they experience.

After the awards presentation, the party really gets started. Ukulele come out, the golfers turn into dancers and singers and the laughter flows like wine.

COLLEGE SUCCESS

Kristina Merkle, in her first year of golf at University of Tulsa, was named after one great week of play, Conference USA Golfer of the Week. Merkle carded a two-under par 214 (76-66-70) and finished in second place at the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational at Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kansas. She broke the women's course record on Monday (Sept. 28), after carding a six-under par 66 in the second round. Merkle's efforts helped lead the Golden Hurricane to a first-place team finish in the tournament.

Merkle has certainly lived up to the potential a University of Tulsa coach saw in her at the age of 6. She was hitting balls while her father was talking with the coach. After watching for a while, coach told Lou Merkle, if Kristina continued down the path to golf, she'd have a full ride at Tulsa. Merkle did and that’s what she got. For "summer fun", Merkle comes home to show us her progress.

TOM WATON “LESSONS OF A LIFETIME”

You can hear the entire interview with Tom Watson but here is just the opening comment Watson had about how the 2 DVD set came together in his mind. He was asked if putting the instructional set together helped his own game before he almost won the 2009 British Open



For the complete interview, check out this link to “The Golf Club” - http://www.hernco.com/golfclub/archive.htm

This DVD set is going to be followed by a book, which will include the chapters that were left out. Watson said the book should be by the “bathroom stool so everyone can have a lesson in the morning if they want one. You can buy the DVD at: http://www.tomwatson.com.

A portion of the proceeds from “Lessons of a Lifetime” will go to ALS research. As Mr. Watson put it, “I want to find a cure for ALS and the only way I know how to help is to raise money for research.”

HHSAA/DAVID ISHII STATE HIGH SCHOOL GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Turtle Bay Resort

Punahou Boys and Girls Golf Teams both captured the team titles in the HHSAA/David Ishii Golf Championship at Turtle Bay Resort.

 
Punahou Boys, who shot a team total 307 on Turtle Bay’s Palmer Course for a two day total and to beat co-runner ups Iolani and Moanalua by 8 shots.  The Buffnblu team was lead by Brian Lee and Bradley Shigezawa who both carded three over 75s.

Winning individual honors in a one-hole playoff was Rudy Cabalar, Jr.  The Campbell Sophomore shot the low round of the tournament three under 69 to tie first round leader Nainoa Calip after 36 holes.  


Cabalar made birdie on the first playoff hole, Palmer’s 18th hole to capture the win.  Runner-up Calip shot 2 under par today to match Cabalar for a two-day total 141 (3-under par).      


In the Girls Championship, Punahou outlasted Maui’s Baldwin to win the team championship by 8 shots.  Punahou was led by Alina Ching who shot consecutive rounds of 75.  


Baldwin’s Cassy Isagawa went wire to wire to win individual honors with a final round 74 (2-over par) for a two-day total 147.  Kauai’s Kelli Oride was runner up with a two-day total 148 shooting 74 today on the resort’s Fazio Course.  Iolani’s Marissa Chow had the low round of the girl’s tournament with a on-under par 71 to finish in a tie for third with Alina Ching of Punahou.

Kohala’s Kelson Kupukaa had a hole in one on the Palmer’s 15th hole.

Special thanks to Tournament Sponsor David Ishii and the David Ishii Foundation and host facility Turtle Bay Resort

Turtle Bay Resort is Oahu’s only 36-hole golf resort and is host to many golf events throughout the year including Stage 1 & 2 PGA Tour Qualifying School, Turtle Bay Resort College Invitational and numerous junior events.  The Resort’s Palmer Course ranks as one of the Top 100 Public Golf Courses in America.

SET SCRAMBLE

Turtle Bay Resort is hosting a “Golfest” – like in golf festival. On June 26th, from 8 AM till Noon, four of the major golf manufacturers will present their demo say plus there will be a sidewalk sale with Footjoy and Oakley, music, raffle with prizes and food. At 12:30, you can play in a SET Scramble on the Fazio Course for $55 dollars.

For more on SET Scramble and the format, check out http://www.SETScramble.com

You can also play in the SET Scramble at the Pearl Country Club on June 8th. Call Regan Lee at 808 487 3802.

HICKAM AFB INVITATIONAL

Congratulations to Lorens Chan. Chan won the 2010 Hickam Invitational by 5 strokes with his total 216 (71 73 72). Jared Kato was 2nd with a score of 221. Brandon Kop, Rudy Cabalar, Jr, Brian Lee and Alika Bell finished tied for 3rd.  

WOMEN’S GOLF CLINIC AND WINE TASTING

Calling all women golfers!  Ko Olina Golf Club is pleased to offer a special event just for women.

On June 16th from 3pm - 5pm, join our top PGA Professionals and learn the finer points of chipping, putting and hitting your irons/woods for an hour, then gather at the Bridge Bar next to Roy's Ko Olina for a wine tasting experience like no other at the best 19th hole on Oahu!

Space is limited to the first 35 people so sign up now!  Log onto www.playgolfamerica.com and select 'American Express Women's Golf Month'.  Select Ko Olina Golf Club to register for the event.

The cost is $50 for the Clinic and the Wine Tasting or $35 just for the Wine Tasting but space is limited and registration is required. If it’s sold out when you try to register, contact Chris Koch, the First Assistant Professional at 808 676 5300 to get on the waitlist.

KO OLINA JUNIOR GOLF PLAY & LEARN

The Ko Olina Golf Academy is pleased to announce the upcoming Junior Golf Play & Learn Program just for your junior golfers.

Starting June 14th thru August 20th from 11:00am - 12:30pm, have your child join our top PGA Professionals as they teach basic points of the game in a fun and educational way.  They will also get to meet and make new friends along with learning the valuable skills of good sportsmanship, patience and perseverance.

Space is limited. Call the Ko Olina Golf Shop at (808) 676-5300.

If Ko Olina is too far for you, most golf courses are offering junior golf summer programs. Just give them a call. Pearl Country Club and Olomana plus Turtle Bay Resort just to name a few.

In the world of golf – there is a lot going on:

• The investigation into the death of LPGA player Erica Blasberg.
• Tiger Woods playing at Memorial and signed up for the British Open.
• Amputee Ken Green playing on the Champions Tour.
• 15 year old Alexis Thompson turning pro…or did already…at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
• And thank you to Jerry Rice for knowing when to quit taking up space on the NationWide Tour.
• Waikoloa’s Parker McLachlin made the cut on the PGA Tour.
  

Michelle Wie came in last at the Bell Micro LPGA Classic and then bounced back in match play the next week but didn’t make it to the semi finals. This just after someone asked if Wie would be the savior on the LPGA Tour.

That’s golf.

“The Golf Club” is on the air on Oahu on “The Jewel” at 99.5 FM Saturday morning from 7am until 8:30am.
On Maui, you can listen on KONI FM, 104.3, on Kauai, KTOH 99.9 FM and in Hilo, on KPUA AM 670.

Prefer a podcast? Pick us up at iTunes.
On your smart phone? Get the StitcherRadio application and listen in.

Welcome to summer!

Thank you for your Mana, and may you hit the sweet spot every time.

Aloha,
Danielle

Please be short and to the point, and respect the other voices in the discussion. You may edit and delete comments for up to three days after date of post. We reserve the right to edit or delete inappropriate comments. For more information read our site policies »

In order to comment, you must be logged in. Login | Register | Help

Comment

Denotes required fields.