Teenagers grab spotlight at event
Advertiser Staff
In the midst of one of the finest local fields of the year, teenagers Michelle Wie, Amanda Wilson and Sean Maekawa tee off just before noon today in the first round of the 31st annual Waikoloa Open.
When: 6:30 a.m. today, tomorrow and Sunday. Where: Waikoloa Village Golf Club Purse: $15,000 Defending champion: John Hearn Admission: Free
The threesome that needed a note to get out of school might be the most watched group at Waikoloa Village Golf Club. Wie, 14, is probably the world's most recognized amateur. Wilson, a Waiakea senior, is the Open's two-time defending A Flight champion. Honoka'a's Maekawa is one of the most promising junior boys in the state.
Waikoloa Open
Surrounding the keiki will be many of Hawai'i's best male golfers, and a few visiting pros.
Punahou graduate John Hearn, now head pro at The Reserve in Palm Springs, Calif., is back to defend his title. So is defending senior champion Dick McLean, who lives five miles from Hearn in the desert.
Hearn closed with a 66 last year to beat Regan Lee and Lance Suzuki by three shots. Lee, who won at Waikoloa in 2001 and '02, tees off just after noon today. Suzuki, who won at Waikoloa eight times between 1982 and '94, tees off at 12:12 p.m.
The Pro Flight also includes former champions Casey Nakama and Kevin Hayashi, Ron Castillo Jr., Norman Ganin-Asao, Tommy Kim, John Lynch and Joe Phengsavath.
The Waikoloa Open is one of the few tournaments open to pros and amateurs and has six flights. The Senior Professional division includes McLean, Dean Prince and Larry Stubblefield.
This is the first time Wie has played at home since the Hawai'i Pearl Open in February. She has made the cut in five LPGA events since, and has two top-10 finishes. The Punahou sophomore would have earned nearly $230,000 if she had been allowed to keep her winnings, and would be 46th on the LPGA money list.
Next month, Wie will become the sixth amateur to play in the Samsung World Championship. The LPGA event brings together 20 players at the Canyons Course at Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, Calif.
The tournament is Oct. 15 to 17. Wie turns 15 on Oct. 11.
