CLOSE BUT NO TROPHY FOR HAWAII’S DEAN WILSON

Dean Wilson celebrates his final putton the 18th green during round three of the 2010 RBC Canadian Open at St. George's Golf and Country Club on July 24, 2010 in Etobicoke, Canada. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

While Dean Wilson was growing up in Hawaii, the guys gave him the moniker…”Dean the Machine”. You could see that at the RBC Canadian Open at the end of July when he posted 65, 65, 65 and went into the final with a five-stroke lead over Carl Pettersson and Tim Clark. Unfortunately the machine wasn’t running so smoothly in that final round. Wilson just couldn’t find the groove and finished with a 72, watching that 5-stroke lead evaporate and Pettersson walk away with the trophy. 

Carl Pettersson holds aloft the trophy after winning the 2010 RBC Canadian Open at St. George's Golf and Country Club on July 25, 2010 in Etobicoke, Canada. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Pettersson, who calls himself a “Swedish Redneck”, almost didn’t make the cut at the RBC Canadian Open and went on to win it. What does that tell you about staying the course. Something I learned quite a bit about it, from Dr. Joe Parent and his three books including “Zen Golfer”. 

Dean Wilson raises his cap to the gallery as he finishes his third round with a 65 after a first round 65 and a second round 65. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Dean Wilson really wanted to win this one. For himself, naturally, to earn his PGA Tour card back with its two-year exemption to play on the PGA Tour but he also wanted to win it for his friend Mike Weir. Weir was instrumental in getting Wilson the sponsor exemption to play in the RBC Canadian Open. Weir, struggling with an injury, didn’t make the cut.

It was glorious to watch Wilson start strong and continue that way. As one Las Vegas resident said to me on Twitter: “Doesn’t he practice at TPC Las Vegas? He’s a hard worker.”

Dean Wilson tries to get out of the rain after putting on the 12th green during round three of the 2010 RBC Canadian Open at St. George's Golf and Country Club on July 24, 2010 in Etobicoke, Canada. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Wilson doesn’t get a lot of attention in the media. He doesn’t go out of his way to make waves to garner media attention or hire a media consultant or send out press releases. Wilson is a genuinely nice person who works hard at his craft. Second was worth over $500 thousand but a win would have put him back “on tour”.

Dean Wilson plays his third shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the 2010 RBC Canadian Open at St. George's Golf and Country Club on July 25, 2010 in Etobicoke, Canada. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

NO LUCK FOR HAWAII PLAYERS AT THE U.S WOMEN’S OPEN

It was a tough event for Hawaii’s three players at the U.S Women’s Open. Michelle Wie, Stephanie Kono and Kimberly Kim all missed the cut.

Paula Creamer celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2010 U.S. Women's Open at Oakmont Country Club on July 11, 2010 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

It was a great return for the LPGA’s Pink Panther this 2010 season. Just her fourth start after surgery, and having to sit out several events on the Tour, she walked away with a major victory. Paula Creamer has been recovering from an injury to her left thumb. It started June 2009 while hitting out of the rough during the Wegmans LPGA last June.  She tried a lot of things including cortisone shots and rest to heal the stretched ligament trying to avoid the operation that put her career on hold. In February, she was worried the changes she had to make would stop her from having the confidence in her swing to win any LPGA event. But after only the fourth event since making those mechanical changes, she held the U.S. Women’s Open trophy high above her head.

Paula Creamer poses for a photo with the grounds crew during a practice round prior to the start of the 2010 U.S. Women's Open at Oakmont Country Club on July 7, 2010 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Before Creamer  started playing golf at the age of 10, she enjoyed gymnastics and aerobic dancing. And she is keeping it real appreciating the hard work of the people behind the scenes who trick out the golf course to make it gorgeous to play.

JIYAI SHIN LOVES EVIAN LES BAIN

It’s the French Alps. It’s petite, gorgeous, and the ball flies in the altitude. It’s called Evian Les Bain and the quaint little city hosts the Evian Masters. It also pays out the richest purse on the LPGA Tour.

Morgan Pressel of the USA plays her second shot to the 18th hole that brought her an eagle three finish during the third round of the 2010 Evian Masters on July 24, 2010 in Evian les Bains, France. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Want to learn more about how Morgan Pressel bends that club? Listen to the July 24th show with Miura Iron’s David Butler. http://www.radiogolfclub.com

Morgan Pressel had the same kind of weekend Dean Wilson had. She was leading through most of the tournament at the Evian Masters only to watch Jiyai Shin hoist the trophy at the end of the tournament.

Jiyai Shin of South Korea holds the winners trophy after the final round of the 2010 Evian Masters on July 25, 2010 in Evian, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

It’s not surprising. In Christina Kim’s book “Swinging from My Heels”, she describes Jiyai as one of those players who just moseys along and all of a sudden you say, “Damn, she’s really seven under?”

Jiyai Shin of South Korea walks through the flowers with playing partner Morgan Pressel of USA during the final round of the 2010 Evian Masters on July 25, 2010 in Evian, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Well, the 2009 Rookie of the Year and almost Player of the Year pulled off the win just like that. With Pressel in the lead, Shin steadily overtook her and won.

Christina Kim of USA waves to the camera during the Ricoh Women's British Open Pro-am at Royal Birkdale on July 27, 2010 in Southport, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

Kim also talks about Jiyai as being a very fun loving young lady. She has a budding singing career in Korea and one of her ballads landed on the Korean pop charts. After the third round of the Samsung, Jiyai went paragliding above La Jolla, even though she was leading the tournament.

If this putt on the 18th green in the final round had just dropped, it would have forced a playoff between Pressel and Shin but no such luck. Pressel watched her lead evaporate and Shin walk away the victor.

Morgan Pressel looks dejected as her putt to tie on the final green stays out during the final round of the 2010 Evian Masters on July 25, 2010 in Evian les Bains, France. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN

It’s too late to include the Ricoh Women’s British Open. We’ll see all of top players except one notable newcomer. 15-year old Alexis Thompson will not be allowed to play. She didn’t play in the pre-qualifying for the Women’s British Open because it was scheduled the day after the U.S. Women’s Open. Thompson was busy playing her way to a T 10th at the U.S Women’s Open and just finished T 2nd at the Evian Masters.

15-year-old Alexis Thompson playing the 5th hole during the 3rd round of the Evian Masters

Why can’t they make an exception for Alexis Thompson?

Jay Busbee, in his column at Yahoo Sports! Devil Ball Golf added this note:

"Exemptions into final qualifying for professionals are not the norm," Shona Malcolm, the LGU’s CEO, told Golfweek's Sean Martin in an email. "The main circumstances would be medical exemptions or, occasionally and very exceptionally, players of reputation who had previously been long-term participants in, supporters of, or winners of the Ricoh Women’s British Open."

Now, it's obvious why golf officials are being a bit measured in their response to Thompson's hot start. The last thing anyone wants is a repeat of the Michelle Wie situation, where a kid was hyped to the heavens and didn't immediately perform. Thompson has done well early on, but there's no indication it'll sustain. (None that it won't, either. Ya never know, do ya?)

Michelle Wie of the USA during the pro-am as a preview for the 2010 Ricoh Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale on July 27, 2010 in Southport, England. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

HAWAII’S PRO PRO AT KAANAPALI

Winners & Check: Ka’anapali’s Head Professional Sutee Nitakorn (L), Ron Castillo Jr and Wade Nishimoto (Winners) with PGA General Manager, Ed Kageyama

For never having been teamed together, Ron Castillo Jr and Wade Nishimoto made an excellent one, winning the two day better ball tournament with a two-day total of -12 under 129. But it was the final two holes that clenched it.

The trades were very light, which left the Kaanapali Royal Course vulnerable. It was a birdie on #17 that put Nishimoto and Castillo in the hunt. They were one stroke ahead of first round leaders Ben Hongo and Kevin Shimomura but still behind the legendary team of Andrew Feldmann and Larry Stubblefield.

Feldman and Stubblefield started the day with birdies but Castillo and Nishimoto turned the tide after the 4th and, as Castillo put it, “it really came down to #18.”

Ron played his driver into the middle of the fairway on #18, a 440-yard par 4 hole with a lagoon that snakes along the entire right side of the hole.  Castillo’s playing partner, Nishimoto placed his drive into the fairway, but came up short on his second shot and ended up in the drink.  Feldman’s drive was just off the left side fairway into the rough and knocked his approach into the hazard just off the green. 

Stubblefield ended up in the fairway bunker off his drive and was forced to lay up, only to then knock his third shot into the lagoon as well.  Castillo has his eyes on the pin as he knocked his 4-iron to within 12 feet of the flag.

Andrew Feldmann Hazard #18: Feldmann’s second shot out of the hazard comes up short and force him to 2-putt for a double (bogie).

Feldmann played his shot from the hazard, only to have it roll back into the hazard again, making a tough shot to the pin, even tougher, knowing he had to sink his 20 foot putt to force a playoff.  Feldmann came up short and they ended up with a double bogie. 

Ron Castillo putt 18: Castillo rolls his first putt on #18 (second went in for par and the win)

Castillo’s goal was to two-putt for the win, “I gave myself a little longer second putt then I planned, but I was able to sink it for the par on 18, putting Wade and I one stroke ahead.” That putt was worth $2000, split between the two of them.

Nishimoto adding, “The course was in excellent condition, the greens on both courses were fantastic, rolling true.”

THE FUTURE OF THE GAME

Winners with Charlie King, President, King Auto Center, Darren Sayre, Head Golf Professional, The Club at Hokulia and John Defries, CEO, Hokulia.

The Hawaii State Junior Golf Association (HSJGA) completed the final round of the 2010 King Auto Group 13/18 State Junior Championship at The Club at Hokuli'a on the Big Island in early July. Nationals were held at Old York Country Club at Chesterfield, NJ from July 27-30, 2010, which is after my deadline.  The two qualifiers are Alice Kim (Honolulu) and Aaron Kunitomo (Kahului).

Taking the 13/18 State Championship title for the girls was Cassy Isagawa (Wailuku) who ended up with a final round score of 140.  Alex Chiarella (Makawao) took the boy’s title by finishing with a final round score of 138.

National teams were announced following the tournament for the Boys and Girls Junior America’s Cups, Mary Cave Cup and Eddie Hogan Cup .
 
Boys Junior America’s Cup – Alex Chiarella, Ryan Kuroiwa, Michael Fan and Justin Chu.

Girls Junior America’s Cup – Cassy Isagawa, Kacie Komoto, Cyd Okino and Alina Ching

Eddie Hogan Cup – Aaron Kunitomo, Justin Keiley, Lorens Chan and Scotty Yamashita

Mary Cave Cup – Eimi Koga, Alice Kim, Ciera Min and Marissa Chow

A special mahalo from the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association to the King Auto Group for their support sponsoring the annual State Championships and for their continued support of the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association over the past 11 years!  Thank you to The Club at Hokuli'a for once again opening their doors to our juniors!

HEADLINES

There is so much more to talk about.

Tiger Woods is going to play at World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational in early August but what putter will he use and why hasn’t he gone to see Dave Stockton to help his putting game anyway.

Anthony Kim is going to make his return to competition at the Bridgestone.

Is Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin really talking with Tiger Woods about being on the team?

The PGA Tour is letting people take cell phones to a tournament during the actual tournament rounds. No kidding. It’s a test case at next month’s Wyndham Championship.
What do you think?

That’s why I host “The Golf Club” radio show every Saturday morning at 7 AM on The Jewel, 99.5 FM, on Oahu and on KONI FM 104.7 on Maui and on KTOH 99.9 FM on Kauai and on KPUA AM 670 in Hilo.

Corey Pavin of the US and Bernard Langer of Germany in action during the final round of the Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard played at Carnoustie on July 25, 2010 in Angus, Scotland. (Photo by Phil Inglis/Getty Images)

Bernard Langer won the Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie where Aloha Team Classic founders Stuart and Debbi Katz played the week before the championship.

And I want you to be a qualifier to win the trip to Maui for the Aloha Team Classic tournament on Maui and the only way for you to do that is to listen and call in to qualify.

You’ll get the round trip ticket on Go Mokulele, 5 nights at the Outrigger Napili Shores, 6 days in a Hertz Rent a Car, a round of golf for 2 at the Kaanapali Golf Course plus the opening and closing event tickets for the tournament. LPGA players will be playing with the amateurs who are playing to raise money for Maui youth charities. It’s wonderful.
The Aloha Team Classic at http://www.alohateamclassic.org/

See you on the radio. Or Facebook. Or Twitter. Or on your smart phone using the StitcherRadio app. Or at radiogolfclub.com where all of the shows are live and archived.
Thank you for your Mana. And may you hit the sweet spot every time.

I’m Danielle Tucker. This is “The Golf Club”