Posted on: Thursday, June 12, 2003
Sony Open charity sponsor doles out $800,000
Advertiser Staff
Friends of Hawai'i Charities, the charity sponsor of the Sony Open in Hawaii, distributed a record $800,000 to not-for-profit organizations this year. In the five-year history of the PGA Tour event, more than $3 million has been been generated, with the help of charity partner The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc.
More than 100 local organizations received money in 2003, including Castle High School, Crime Stoppers, HUGS, the National Scholastic Surfing Association, PATCH, Sisters Offering Support and the USS Missouri Memorial Association Inc.
The 2004 Sony Open in Hawaii will be Jan. 15-18 at Waialae Country Club. Sponsor participation packages, which help raise charity contributions, are now available. Call 523-7888.
For information on Friends of Hawai'i Charities, go to friendsofhawaii.org. Manoa Cup highlights on TV
The half-hour show will be hosted by Dave Vinton and Scotty B. It covers all six days of the tournament, won by Kellen-Floyd Asao, and features interviews and commentary by Hilo's Christel Tomori, who finished 44th at last week's $60,000 Lima Memorial Hospital Foundation Futures Classic.
Youthful tone for Open qualifying
There were a dozen U.S. Women's Open slots available at the two Monday sectionals. Seven went to players 18 or under, including three who aren't able to drive.
The most well-known, of course, was Honolulu 13-year-old Michelle Wie. She earned her way into her second major with a birdie on the first playoff hole in Florida.
On the West Coast, 13-year-old Sydney Burlison, from Salinas, Calif., was one of four medalists at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City, Calif. Wie got into the playoff with rounds of 76-71—147. Burlison's score was 76-76—152.
Kailua's Bridget Dwyer (76-81—157) and Honolulu's Summerset Lovett (93-88—181) failed to qualify in California.
Burlison was featured in a Sports Illustrated article last May with her close friend Mina Harigae, also 13. Harigae failed to advance out of local qualifying for the Women's Open, but the two have met in the finals of the California Women's Amateur the past two years, with Harigae winning both.
Aree Song Wongluekiet was the Florida medalist at 71-72—143. Wongluekiet became the youngest champion in USGA history when she captured the 1999 U.S. Girls' Junior at the age of 13. Last year, she shared low-amateur honors at the Women's Open.
The 2003 U.S. Women's Open will be July 3-6 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Oregon. The course will play to 6,509 yards or 6,550 yards, depending on where the tees are placed on the 10th hole. If it does play at 6,550, it would surpass The Merit Club in 2000 as the longest Women's Open course.
Ko Olina offering junior event
Ko Olina Golf Club is continuing its Ko Olina Kid's Club Junior golf program this summer. Juniors between ages of 7 and 17 are eligible.
The June session started this week and runs Tuesdays and Saturdays. The July session meets Wednesdays and Sundays, from July 9-27. The Introductory Class is 3-4:30 p.m. and the intermediate and advanced class 5-6:30 p.m. Entry deadline is July 7.
The club is designed to introduce junior golfers to the game, focusing on fundamentals, rules, etiquette, honesty and fun. Cost is $120 for nine hours of instruction, a golf shirt, range pass for six free baskets of balls and prizes. The final day offers a tournament and banquet.
For information, call 676-5300.
SHORT PUTTS: Turtle Bay will have a free clinic at the resort's driving range today from 9:30-10:30 a.m., in conjunction with the first round of the Westfield Junior Aloha Section PGA Championship. The clinic will feature tips and instruction by PGA professionals and a long-drive exhibition. The public is welcome. ... Waiakea graduate Gabe Wilson won the Big Island's spot at Saturday's U.S. Amateur Public Links Qualifier. Wilson shot 69-76—145 at the par-71 Hilo Muni course. Eric Yabuta (74-72—146) is first alternate. ... Jonathan Ota won the Kaua'i qualifier. The O'ahu qualifier will be Saturday at Ala Wai. Maui's is June 21 at Waiehu. ... Po'ipu Bay Golf Course is introducing "Golf Glow," a night-time activity for groups. Up to 40 can reserve time to play on a nine-hole putting course or three-hole regular course. Holes are illuminated by glow sticks and players use glow balls. For more on "Golf Glow" and other information on group events and tournaments, call (800) 858-6300 off-island or 742-8711 on Kaua'i.
A highlight show on the 95th Manoa Cup Championship will be shown Monday at 9 p.m., on KFVE. The show is produced by 808Golf. It will be re-broadcast on June 22, at noon.
