ISLE FILE
Japan pro earns U.S. Women's Open spot
Advertiser Staff
Kaori Higo, a professional from Kagoshima, Japan, earned a berth in the U.S. Women's Open Championship yesterday in a 36-hole sectional qualifier at the Ko Olina Golf Course.
Higo, a 17-year veteran of the Japan LPGA Tour, shot 75-76 for a 7-over-par 151 total.
Kimberly Kim, a 13-year-old from Pahoa, is the first alternate. She beat Amanda Wilson on the first playoff hole after each shot 157.
Julie Brooks (158) is the third alternate and Kayla Morinaga (166) the fourth.
The U.S. Women's Open will be played June 23 to 26 at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo.
MORE GOLF
Choy, Khil qualify
Britney Choy and Jonathan Khil earned berths to the 37th Independent Insurance Agent Junior Classic yesterday in a Hawai'i qualifier at the Hono-lulu Country Club course.
Choy beat Ayaka Kaneko on the third playoff hole after both shot 2-under 70. Christine Kim, the 2005 girls high school champion, is the second alternate after shooting 76.
Khil defeated Alex Ching and Alika Bell on the first playoff hole to earn the boys' berth after all three shot even-par 72. Ching is the first alternate, and Bell the second.
The national tournament will be held at the Purdue University golf course in Indiana, July 31 to Aug. 4.
BOXING
12 at Junior Olympics
Twelve junior boxers, including 2004 national champion Keola McKee, will represent Hawai'i at the National Junior Olympics from Thursday through June 26, at Brownsville, Texas.
McKee, from the Wailuku Boxing Club, won last year at 85 pounds and has been invited by USA Boxing to participate in an elite camp that runs through July 4. He will compete at 101 pounds this year.
Tournament champions will earn berths to the world championships, which will be held in August in Liverpool, England.
The other Hawai'i boxers competing in the nationals are: Thomas Juan (95 pounds) of Wailuku Boxing Club; Steven Yoshida (138) and Kurtis Kala (145) of Central Maui; Jentson Gumtang (106) of East Maui Boxing Club; Bruno Escalante (110) of East O'ahu Waimanalo; Corey Dennison (132) and Daytin Kaua (201) of Pearlside Boxing Club; and Ikaika Villanueva (90), Kawika Tangjian Jr. (114), Tupo Kulihaapai (189) and Gina Ramos (95) of Kawano/Tiki Ent. Boxing Club.
Bruce Kawano is team manager, and Jeff McKee and Nante Manangan are coaches.
BAYFEST
Bodies and bathtubs
The annual Bayfest celebration at Kane'ohe's Marine Corps Base Hawai'i will offer two competitions for the public this year.
On July 3, the BodySearch Fitness Challenge will be held at 4:30 p.m. for men and women ages 18 and older. Contestants will be judged in swimsuit attire, and categories will be personality, physique and interviewing skills.
For more information, call 254-7597.
The July 4 Bathtub Regatta will be a homemade boating competition of four-person crews. Each craft must be self-propelled and created for the race. Multiple prizes will be awarded, ranging from first place to first to sink.
Entry forms for the regatta are available at www.bayfesthawaii.com, or e-mail dino.leonard@usmc-mccs.org. All entries must be placed in advance. For more information, call 254-7655.
