Porter-King captains Copa de Las Americas team

Advertiser Staff

Kaua'i's Mary Bea Porter-King was named captain of the U.S. team for the inaugural Copa de Las Americas. The international amateur event will include countries from North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

It will be June 25-28 at the Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort and Country Club in Dorado, Puerto Rico. Two-member teams from approximately 32 countries will play 72 holes of team stroke play in female, male and overall team divisions.

Porter-King, a former LPGA golfer, is on the U.S. Golf Association Executive Committee and is president of the Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association.

Her team will be four USGA champions from 2002: U.S. Amateur champions Becky Lucidi and Ricky Barnes, U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Kathy Hartwiger and U.S. Public Links champion Ryan Moore.

• Fame tees off: Kapalua's Jerry King will defend his title at the 2003 Verizon Hawai'i Hall of Fame Championship, Sunday and Monday at the Kapalua Plantation course. The event tees off at 6:50 a.m. Sunday.

King won the 15th annual championship with a 3-under-par 69. The final round was cancelled because of inclement weather. Brian Sasada was two shots back and Kevin Hayashi and Beau Yokomoto tied for third. Mike Iyoki won the senior title with 66.

Sasada, Hayashi and Yokomoto are back and the field also includes Eddie Lee, Rick Castillo, Matt Hall, Kevin Carll, Ron Castillo Jr. and Mark Rolfing. Iyoki will defend in the senior division, which also includes Larry Stubblefield, Ron Castillo, Art Rego and Rodney Acia.

In other Aloha Section PGA news, there are still spots open in the 27th annual PGA Classic, May 16 at Turtle Bay Resort. The Classic is the section's primary fund-raiser and supports junior golf, seminars, the Hawai'i State Open and the Hawai'i Golf Hall of Fame.

For information, call 593-2230.