Briefly: Souza, Stubblefield lose in qualifying

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i's Stan Souza and Larry Stubblefield were stopped a step short of qualifying for next week's U.S. Open, which will be played at Bethpage State Park's Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y.

Souza played the sectional qualifier at Lake Merced Golf and Country Club, in Daly City, Calif., Monday. A field of 70 was trying for three Open spots, and Souza failed to advance when he shot 79-81-160.

The three qualifiers were Andy Miller — announcer Johnny Miller's son — at 67-68—135, along with Ricky Barnes (70-67—137) and Paul Goydos (66-72—138).

Stubblefield failed to advance when he shot 84-83 at Century Country Club and Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, N.Y.

Souza and Stubblefield were in good company.

Former Hawai'i resident Scott Simpson (72-70), the 1987 U.S. Open champion, failed to get through the sectional in Rockville, Md., where 203 players were going for 34 qualifying spots.

Former Masters champion Fred Couples (72-71) failed to advance to his 19th U.S. Open., and 1976 Open champion Jerry Pate (66-74) missed by two shots. Michael Muehr, from Cleveland, shot 67-71, then won a 12-way playoff for the final spot.

WIE: Sponsor's exemption for tournament

Michelle Wie has received a sponsor's exemption to play in the Westfield U.S. Girls Junior PGA Championship in Ohio, July 17-21.

Wie, who just finished seventh grade at Punahou, recently received a sponsor's exemption to play in the LPGA's Asahi Ryokuken International Championship. In February's Takefuji Classic, she was the youngest ever to Monday qualify for an LPGA event.

The PGA of America will pay Wie's travel expenses. Local qualifying for the U.S. Junior Girls is June 27 at Ko Olina.

Shaun Felechner, who just finished his sophomore year at Lahainaluna, received an exemption to the Westfield PGA Junior Boys by virtue of qualifying for the Junior Ryder Cup team.

Sony Open raises record $700,000

Friends of Hawai'i Charities distributed a record $700,000 in conjunction with the 2002 Sony Open in Hawai'i. The beneficiaries are 91 community service agencies.

The tournament has generated more than $2 million in its four years, including matching funds from the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc.

Money is given to "health and education-oriented projects directed toward women and children." This year's beneficiaries include American Youth Soccer Association, Bishop Museum, Honolulu Dance Theater, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Palama Settlement, Read Aloud America and Victory Ohana Prison Fellowship.

Friends of Hawai'i also gave $40,000 to Kahuku Hospital, Sunset Beach Elementary School, Kahuku High and Intermediate Schools and the Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association. That money was raised at the inaugural Turtle Bay Senior Championship last October and distributed this week.

The second Turtle Bay Championship will be Oct. 4-6 at the resort's Palmer Course. The 2003 Sony Open in Hawai'i will be Jan. 16-19 at Waialae Country Club.

USGA to hold sectional qualifier

The U.S. Golf Association will hold a U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Sectional Championship Qualifying Tournament at Mid-Pacific Country Club on Aug. 20.

Qualifying will be 18-hole stroke play with the number of qualifying spots determined after entries close. Qualifiers go to the championship, at Eugene Country Club in Oregon, Sept. 21-26.

Entrants must have a handicap of 9.4 or less and be 25 or older as of Sept. 21. Paper entry applications are available now and can be obtained by calling the USGA (908-234-2300). Players with Internet access can download an entry at usga.org. Entries close at the USGA office in New Jersey July 31.

For more information, call the USGA or contact Kathy Ordway at ordwayk001@hawaii.rr.com.