Maui's Ting tees off at Women's Mid-Am

Advertiser Staff

Wailuku's Desiree Ting will represent Hawai'i at the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship, teeing off tomorrow at Holston Hills Country Club at Knoxville, Tenn.

The course was designed by Donald Ross and has been home to two NCAA Championships. It is also a practice course for the University of Tennessee.

The tournament is open to female amateurs 25 and older. Ting qualified by shooting a 74 at Dunes at Maui Lani last month.

Former UH golfer Sandra Nakagaki, who now lives in California, is also in the field.

The first two days are medal play, with the top qualifiers advancing to match play Sunday to Wednesday.

Waikoloa Open deadline approaching

The entry deadline for the 31st annual Waikoloa Open is Sept. 17. The tournament will be played Sept. 24 to 26 at Waikoloa Village.

Defending champion is Punahou graduate John Hearn. He closed with a 66 last year to beat Regan Lee and Lance Suzuki by three shots. Former Kapalua resident Dick McClean, who won at Waikoloa in 1992, captured the Senior championship.

Hearn and McClean both live in Palm Springs, Calif., now. McClean won two State Open championships while he lived here, but Waikoloa is Hearn's only victory in Hawai'i. He did make the final of the 1986 Manoa Cup, losing to Brandan Kop.

Hearn is married to former University of Hawai'i golfer Chie (Shimada) Hearn. They have two children.

Applications are available at Waikoloa Village Pro Shop or online at 808Golf.com, or by e-mailing waikoloaopen@aol.com.

For more information, call (808) 883-9621.