First Tee of O'ahu, formerly the North Shore Junior Golf Association, will officially open its Camp Homelani golf learning facility Saturday at 11 a.m. in Waialua. The event is open to the public.

First Tee is a World Golf Foundation initiative designed to provide all kids an opportunity to "develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship." The initiative's intent is to offer an opportunity for "quality of life improvement" where children can "increase their potential for success."

North Shore junior golf began in May as a First Tee chapter and has been teaching kids ages 8 to 18 at a six-hole practice facility at Camp Homelani. There are now 32 members.

"We are so proud to be able to serve the kids of O'ahu," said First Tee executive director Ken Zitz. "We are aiming to make golf accessible to all youth on our island who are interested in learning the game — and the fundamentals of the game that apply to all areas of life."

First Tee has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai'i. They will introduce the program to more than 80 juniors later this summer at the club's Spalding Center facility in Honolulu and Hale Pono Center in 'Ewa Beach. Salvation Army is also a partner, and provided the Camp Homelani site.

To learn more about First Tee of O'ahu, and for those interested in volunteering, visit thefirstteeoahu.org.

ALOHA PGA STROKE PLAY SET FOR MAUNA KEA

The 32nd Aloha Section PGA Stroke Play Championship opens Sunday with a pro-am at Mauna Kea Golf Course. The 54-hole tournament tees off Monday at 7 a.m. and ends Wednesday.

The field of 37 includes defending champion Kevin Carll, from Turtle Bay. He won by two strokes over Makena's Brian Sasada and Larry Stubblefield last year.

Hilo Muni's Rodney Acia won last year's senior championship by 10 shots. Ray DeMello won the Super Senior title.

Pros go out at 7 a.m. each day, with the Pro-Am starting at 7:30 a.m. The purse is $20,000.

PLAY GOLF AMERICA FESTIVAL AT KAPALUA

Kapalua Resort will be the site of a Play Golf America free golf festival and demo day on Sept. 16. More than 30 PGA pros will take part.

There will be special presentations from Mike Adams, Laird Small and short game specialist Stan Utley. Adams and Small were recognized by Golf Magazine as among the nation's "Top 100 Teachers in America."

Play Golf America lets golfers sample the latest equipment, get free-tune up lessons by PGA professionals, and participate in putting tournaments, long drive contests and other games.

It will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Village Course Practice Facility. Feature instruction presentations will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

To attend Play Golf America Day, register online at playgolf america.com. For more information, call Kapalua Golf Academy (808) 669-6500.

ORIDE, KAWANO SECOND AT MARY CAVE CUP

Kaua'i's Kelli Oride and Maui's Kelcie Kawano teamed to shoot a final-round of 9-under 64 and lift Hawai'i to second place at last week's Mary Cave Cup in San Diego. Hawai'i finished at 12-under, a shot back of first-place Southern California in the best-ball competition.

Oride was third individually, with rounds of 72-70 for a two-day total of 4-under-par 142. Kawano (83-75-158) took 20th at Cottonwood Golf Course.

The team was captained by Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association vice president Lori Planos. This week, the boys team of Max Bonk and Henry Park from the Big Island, Colton Knedler from O'ahu, and Maui's Nick Shimozaki will represent Hawai'i at the Eddie Hogan Cup. The event tees off tomorrow at Riverside Golf and Country Club in Portland.

The HSJGA needs volunteers for its remaining 2006 tournaments. Those interested should call 532-0559 or send an e-mail to: HSJGA@aol.com.

The 2006 schedule: Aug. 26-27—U.S. Army Jr. Classic at W.J. Nagorski; Sept. 16-17—HSJGA Junior Tour Series at Puakea, Kaua'i; Oct. 7-8—HSJGA Junior Tour Series at Waikoloa, Big Island; Oct. 21-22—HSJGA Junior Tour Series at Kahili, Maui; Nov. 4-5—Kiahuna Jr. Classic, Kaua'i; Dec. 2-3—Ulupalakua Ranch HSJGA Tournament of Champions, Wailea Emerald, Maui.

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