Wishes aplenty for Hawai'i golf

By Bill Kwon

Ho, ho, ho.

Hawai'i golfers, clockwise from top left, Michelle Wie, Parker McLachlin, Mari Chun and David Ishii. Advertiser photo illustration

Michelle Wie — Winning her first LPGA event at the age of 15 to become the youngest ever to do so on any tour by at least three years.

David Ishii — A big-money finish in the Sony Open in Hawai'i next month to jump start his 24th and possibly his final year on the Japan professional golf tour and a confidence booster for his attempt to qualify for the PGA's Champions Tour next fall.

Greg Meyer — His first regular tour victory, finally, in his 13th year of playing in Japan. And if he qualifies for the Sony Open, a victory so that he can play on the PGA Tour instead.

Mari Chun — Another year like 2004 when the Kamehameha senior won the Junior World girls' 15-17 championship in San Diego, the Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association's Tournament of Champions in the same age category, the Hawai'i State Women's Golf Association Match Play Championship and Interscholastic League of Ho-nolulu title.

Joe Phengsavath — Passing the Asian tour Q-School and making it difficult for headline writers not utilizing spellcheck.

Parker McLachlin — Making it through the PGA's national qualifying school and winning an exempt status. This doubles as a wedding gift for the ex-Punahou and UCLA golfer who weds Kristy Smith next Thursday.

Sony Open in Hawai'i — Tiger Woods finally deciding to play at the Waialae Country Club one day. And Michelle Wie making the cut to set record crowds in the 2005 tournament.

Mark Rolfing — Continued run for his "Golf Hawaii" show, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary on national television (ESPN and now the Golf Channel).

Casey Nakama — A kid of his own to sign up for his junior golf program at Olomana. Also his first hole-in-one.

Guy Yamamoto — Ditto. A first hole-in-one, that is.

Ronn Miyashiro — An NCAA regional next spring for his University of Hawai'i men's golf team. A first hole-in-one, too, while we're still at it.

Earl Tamiya — Continued sponsor tie-in with TaylorMade making the event at Waikoloa hosted by UH-Hilo, the most hard-to-get invite among collegiate golf tournaments.

Greg Nichols — An LPGA Tour event starting in 2006 at Ko Olina Resort golf course.

Mary Bea Porter-King — Larger turnouts for the U.S. Open regional and sectional qualifying for men and women, which she helped to get as a member of the USGA executive committee.

Sen. Donna Kim — A USGA Ghin handicap card, unless she's my pro-am partner.

Brandan Kop — A fifth Manoa Cup championship.

Mark Chun — Still more amateur tournament victories.

Jonathan Mathias — Making the Air Force and local amateurs proud by making the cut in the Sony Open.

Dean Wilson — A million-dollar year on the 2005 PGA Tour, starting with at least a top-10 finish in next month's Sony Open.

Paul Sugimoto — More time to golf for the Aloha Section PGA executive director.

Jay Hinazumi — Another profitable business year so that the Golf Concepts owner can continue to sponsor local golf tournaments. Oh, and a first hole-in-one for you, too.

Bev Kim — Not another 46-year wait for her second ace.

Maui Junior Golf Association — Return of the Maui Open, which had helped to raise money for the Valley Isle youngsters.

Judge Jim Burns — May the Sony Open continue to extend a sponsor's exemption to an amateur making the John A. Burns Governor's Cup team.

Michael Castillo — A multi-year contract renewal with the PGA of America to continue holding the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at the Po'ipu Bay Resort Golf Course on Kaua'i.

Walter Dods — A lower golf handicap now that he has retired as First Hawaiian Bank's head honcho.

Hale Irwin — A successful drive for five. After a year's absence, he will be back to defend his title in the Turtle Bay Championship Jan. 28 to 30. He became the first Champions Tour player to win the same event four straight years — (2001, 2002, 2003 at Turtle Bay and 2000 at Ka'anapali North on Maui).

Ray Stosik — Ray got his wish early when Michelle Wie accepted an invitation to play in the inaugural SBS Open next February at Turtle Bay. He's the executive director of the event marking the return of the LPGA to Hawai'i after a three-year absence.

Pali Golf Course — More money for better maintenance of one of the world's most scenic municipal golf course, which is now an embarrassment when golfers claim that "Makalena is mo' bettah than Pali."

Riley Wallace — Improved health so there will be no excuses in golf when I ask for three aside.

Bill Kwon can be reached at bkwon@aloha.net