GOLF

• UHH's Mason ties for fourth: Hawai'i-Hilo junior Nick Mason shot a 3-over-par 75 yesterday to finish in a tie for fourth place at the NCAA Division II Championships at Victoria Hills Golf Club in DeLand, Fla.

Mason, a 2001 Leilehua graduate from Wahiawa, finished with a four-round total of 7-over 295.

Chico State's J.J. Jakovac led the field of 130 with a 5-under 293 to win by six strokes.

FISHING

• Billfish returning in August: The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament returns in August to the newly rebuilt $4 million Kailua, Kona Pier on the Big Island.

The long-running event was conducted about four miles north at Honokohau Harbor last year while the state Department of Land and Natural Resources was rebuilding the pier and stabilizing the foundation of its much used facility that was first used to transport cattle to O'ahu in 1915.

Tournament founder Peter Fithian is happy to be back where he launched the tournament in the 1950s when Kona was seeking to establish a unique sporting event that worked with the west coast of the Big Island.

"There will be a hoist and weighing station befitting a world class fishing venue," said Fithian, predicting at "7 o'clock Aug. 9, boats will be loaded and awaiting the starting signal filled with great expectations."

Competition in the 45th tournament will run from Aug. 9 through 13 and interest appears strong based on early entries of teams from Tahiti, Australia and Japan.

Defending champion Pajaro Valley Gamefish Club of California, which also won the event in 1997 and 2000, is expected to return. The club is led by captain Rocky Franich, who has fished in 40 of the 44 tournaments.

Entries are still open by email at hibt@konabillfish.com or by writing to tournament director Sue Vermillion at P.O. Box 4800, Kailua, Kona, Hawai'i 96745. Deadline is June 1.

TENNIS

• USA Tennis 1-2-3 taking registrations: Registration deadline for the first summer session of USA Tennis 1-2-3 is May 24. The low-cost, introductory instructional program for all ages is run by the U.S. Tennis Association/Hawai'i Pacific Section.

It is designed to teach basic skills quickly to new players in a group environment. Racquets and balls are provided.

Novice and intermediate-level classes are also available. Sessions include stroke production/development and supervised play.

Lessons begin at more than 20 O'ahu parks the week of June 7. Cost for six 1-hour classes is $27. Session II starts July 26.

For more information, call Ron Casados (955-6696 ext. 29) or visit hawaii.usta.com.

In other tennis news:

• Three "Points and Pointers" clinics remain at O'ahu parks. Clinics are designed for 3.0 to 3.5 league players.

The free clinics will be Tuesday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mililani District Park, Wednesday, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Asing Community Park, and May 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Kilauea District Park.

Call 955-6696, ext. 26, to register.

• Volunteers are needed to help at Hawai'i's USTA Pro Circuit tournaments in November and January. Ranked players from all over the world will compete in USTA Futures and Challenger events.

The Hawai'i schedule starts with the USTA Pro Circuit Honolulu Futures men's tournament, Nov. 6 to 14. The tournament is tentatively scheduled for the new University of Hawai'i courts, which are under construction.

The following week (Nov. 13-21), another men's Futures event is scheduled for the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island. Hilton Waikoloa Village also has its annual Challenger event, for men and women, Jan. 22-30 in 2005.

For information, call 955-6696, ext. 26, or email dreith@hawaii.usta.com.

MEETING

• Baseball at QB Club: Baseball will be the topic of the day at tomorrow's noon meeting of the Honolulu Quarterback Club.

Coaches Mike Trapasso (University of Hawai'i), Ryan Kato ('Aiea High) and Dunn Muramaru (Mid-Pacific Institute) will speak, along with radio broadcaster Bobby Curran.

Lunch at the Pagoda Hotel Ballroom begins at 11:30 a.m.

SOCCER