AROUND THE GREENS
Ishii awaits shot at senior tour

By Bill Kwon

Hawai'i's David Ishii has been struggling with his game recently, but he can continue to play on the Japan golf tour on an exemption for two more years before attempting to qualify for the PGA's Champions Tour. Advertiser library photo • Jan. 11, 2002

He found out that he is still eligible to play in at least 80 percent of the tournaments on the Japan golf tour in 2004 and 2005.

"I thought my exemption was up and just had another year left," said Ishii, who used his exempt status as a top-25 leader in all-time career earnings twice to keep playing on the Japan Tour Golf Organization.

Beginning next year, the JTGO will adopt a rule similar to that of the American PGA Tour in which a golfer can use that exemption only once.

Previously, it had been an unlimited number for the Japan tour professionals.

Since the new rule won't go into effect until 2004, Ishii can use his one shot to play the 2005 season if he doesn't make the top-70 money list to earn an exemption next year.

It's a big deal for Ishii, who wants to keep in competitive shape during the next two years before giving the American senior tour a try.

It works out fine, according to Ishii.

He called the PGA office last month and was told that as a former PGA champion for winning the 1990 United Airlines Hawaiian Open, he has one exemption to go directly to the final stage of the Champions Tour qualifying school.

Ishii could try as early as next December since he turns 50 the following year on July 26. But he was advised it wouldn't be worth the effort since half the 2005 season would be over. So he plans on going to the qualifying school for the 2006 season.

He's realistic about his chances.

"Everybody who turns 50 at least wants to try. But the odds are so low," Ishii said. "The Champions Tour is really difficult. You can't count on it and as the years go by, it'll be even more difficult to qualify with so many good players coming out (from the PGA Tour)."

Still, it is his only option for a golfing future.

"There's a senior tour in Japan, but it's more for fun with only six tournaments. And they don't play for much money," said Ishii, who will end his 21st season on the Japan tour with the Casio World Open next week.

A state prep golf champion from Kaua'i High School, Ishii was one of the leading players on the NCAA champion University of Houston golf team.

After his return from college, Ishii dominated local golf, winning the Hawai'i State Open three times, the Hawai'i Pearl Open six times, the Mid-Pacific Open twice (one by a still-standing record 17-under 271 in 1986) and the JAL Rainbow Open five times.

One of Ishii's prized perks for winning the Rainbow Open was an exemption to a Japan tour event. He did so well that he became a fixture on that tour to the point of still being ranked sixth all-time in career money winnings with approximately $8 million.

Only Jumbo Ozaki, Tommy Nakajima, Isao Aoki, Massy Kuramoto and Toru Nakamura are ahead of him. Heady company, indeed, for the 14-time winner on the Japan tour.

The times, though, have been lean of late. This year, Ishii ranks 126th on the money list after making only four cuts in 20 events. His best showing was a tie for 18th in the Suntory Open, which he won in 1994 for his last tournament victory.

"I was close, but I missed a lot of cuts by one or two strokes," said Ishii, who played in last week's wind-blown Hawaii State Open at Hapuna on the Big Island.

"I've hit the ball well, but I cannot putt right now. It's getting worse and worse. I've changed putters so many times. Too much, I guess," said Ishii, who even tried a belly putter but soon gave that up. "My chipping and putting is not good as it used to be."

Ishii admits that age is a factor to golfers, especially those pushing 50.

"The most important thing I've got to work on golfwise is putting. But I've got to get in better shape. In the last few years I kind of slacked off a little bit. I've got to work harder. Since 50 is coming up, it's something to shoot for."

Aloha for Wie

Winning the Hawaiian Open and getting to play in the Masters as a result remain two of his greatest moments in golf, according to Ishii, who will try to qualify next month for one of the two Aloha Section PGA spots for the 2004 Sony Open.

And, yes, Ishii's glad that 14-year-old Michelle Wie got a sponsor's exemption for the event, even though he personally has never received one.

"It's good for publicity and good for the tournament," said Ishii. "It'll be hard for her. She's young yet." But he said he believes that by the time Wie is a senior in high school, she could come close to making a cut in a PGA Tour event.

Then again, Ishii has always been partial when it comes to supporting young golfers. His David S. Ishii Foundation has been the title sponsor for both the state boys and girls golf championships since 1997.

Bill Kwon can be reached at bkwon@aloha.net.