GOLF BRIEFS
LPGA's Delasin will sport Turtle Bay logo
Advertiser Staff
When the LPGA season tees off today, Dorothy Delasin will be wearing the Turtle Bay Resort logo.
Delasin, who has four LPGA victories at age 23, signed a deal to promote the resort and its Palmer and Fazio golf courses with personal appearances, clothing and equipment.
Born in Lubbock, Texas, Delasin grew up in San Francisco. She won the California Women's Championship and U.S. Junior Girls Championship in 1996, and closed her amateur career by capturing the 1999 U.S. Women's Amateur.
Delasin's caddy is former University of Hawai'i-Hilo golfer Clint Begay, who also caddies for brother Notah on the PGA Tour.
"The opportunity to represent a world-class resort such as Turtle Bay is truly an honor," Delasin said. "I spend as much time as I can on the Hawaiian Islands and nothing compares to Turtle Bay."
Delasin was the LPGA's Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year in 2000. Her victory in the Giant Eagle Classic made her the youngest LPGA champion in 25 years. Two years later, Delasin became the youngest to cross the $1 million mark. She was named Athlete of the Year for the Philippines in 2000 and 2001.
Delasin ranked 22nd on the money list last year with six Top-10 finishes, including a sudden-death victory at the Mobile LPGA Tournament of Champions. She has never finished outside the Top 30 on the money list.
"Dorothy is a rising star on the LPGA. We are proud to be associated with her future on the tour," Turtle Bay Director of Golf Matthew Hall said. "We could not ask for a finer individual to help us promote Turtle Bay Resort."
Chulakote back to defend title
Chase Chulakote opens defense of his Hawai'i State Amateur Stroke Play Championship today at Pearl Country Club.
The 100-man field will be cut after tomorrow's second round. The leaders go out around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Chulakote was a Kailua High School senior with one junior victory to his credit when he held off the state's best amateurs a year ago. He won by a shot over Mark West and finished two ahead of 2002 Manoa Cup champion Travis Toyama.
West is not entered this year, but Toyama, a University High senior, is. Former state amateur champions Randy Shibuya (2001), Brandan Kop (1996) and Mark Chun (1992) are also playing, along with Del-Marc Fujita, Clayton Gomi, Kurt Nino and University of Hawai'i senior Matt Kodama.
Rainbow Wahine host tournament
New Mexico, ranked third in the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index, headlines the 11-team field in next week's Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational. The tournament will be played at Kane'ohe Klipper, with 36 holes scheduled Tuesday and 18 on Wednesday, starting at 7:30 a.m.
Host University of Hawai'i is No. 61 in the index. The Rainbow Wahine did not have a top-10 team finish in their four fall tournaments, but have been fourth and eighth the past month.
Hawai'i freshman Sara Odelius tied for eighth individually at last week's Spartan Invitational. It was the Swede's second top-10 finish. Odelius has been Hawai'i's top finisher the past five tournaments.
Freshman Dale Gammie, a St. Anthony's graduate, led the 'Bows in their first tournament. At 78.0, Gammie has the team's second-best scoring average, behind Odelius (76.0). Sophomore Tara Chappell is at 79.7 and freshman Megan Stoddart 79.9.
Pepperdine (26), Texas Christian (33) and San Diego State (42) are other top-50 teams in the Invitational, along with New Mexico. Japan's Osaka Gakuin will also compete.
The top-ranked individual in the tournament is Pepperdine's Carolina Llano, at No. 18. Lobos Kailin Downs (25) and Ashley Rollins (40), and TCU's Brooke Tulls (29) are also in the top 50.
Fund-raiser set for Gateway player
Family and friends of Norman-Ganin Asao, who plans on playing on the Gateway Tour in Arizona this summer, will hold a fund-raising dinner April 7 at Honolulu Country Club.
Asao is a former member of the University of Hawai'i golf team and volunteer coach this season. Cost for a prime rib buffet dinner is $100. For more information, call 952-6542 or e-mail ngagolfpro@hotmail.com.
SHORT PUTTS: Deadline for the 11th annual Guinea Kop Memorial Golf Tournament, March 23 at Pearl Country Club, has been extended until all slots are filled. Cost is $450 per three-person team. It is a fundraiser for O'ahu Junior Golf Association. Information: 952-4653. ... 808Golf TV's production of the 26th Hawai'i Pearl Open is being re-aired on OC16 several times between now and March 26. Shows are hosted by Dave Vinton and Scotty Blaisdell.
