Kellen-Floyd Asao will defend his title at the Hilo Invitational this weekend at Hilo Muni. Asao beat Garrett Okamura in a playoff last year to become the second consecutive amateur to win the championship. Nick Mason was the 2004 champion.

Professionals won the first six Hilo Invitationals, with David Ishii capturing the inaugural event in 1998. He will return, as will 1999 champ Kevin Hayashi. Dean Wilson, the only two-time Hilo champion, is playing on the PGA Tour.

Others in the field include Ron Castillo Jr., Kevin Carll, Ivan Cunningham, Joe Phengsavath and Jarett Hamamoto, the reigning State Open champion. Former Nationwide player Ryan Acosta, now a pro at Kuki'o Golf Club, has entered.

The pro-am starts at 11 a.m. tomorrow. The first round begins at 7 a.m. Saturday and the final round at 8 a.m. Sunday.

JUNIOR GOLF, UH MEN SCHEDULE FUNDRAISERS

Annual fundraisers are coming up for the O'ahu Junior Golf Association, now in its 40th year, and the University of Hawai'i men's team.

The Guinea Kop Memorial Golf Tournament is March 23 at Pearl Country Club. Proceeds help subsidize green fees for OJGA players and finance the scholarship program, awards and other costs. Those interested in entering a team, becoming a sponsor or making a donation can call the OJGA's voice mail center (952-OJGA).

The Warrior Golf Booster Club's Easter Golf Tournament will be April 7 at Turtle Bay's Fazio Course. It has a noon shotgun start and a variety of entry fees from individuals ($150) to gold sponsors ($1,500 for eight players and recognition).

This year's tournament is a stroke-play format with individual and team prizes. Some $3,000 worth of Titleist products will be raffled.

MAGAZINE NAMES SEVEN HAWAI'I RESORTS 'GOLD'

Seven Hawai'i resorts are included in Golf Magazine's 10th biennial ranking of the country's Gold Medal Resorts. The 2006 list of 25 Gold Medalists and 50 Silver Medalists will be published in this month' issue.

Hawai'i resorts winning "gold medals" are: Kaua'i Marriott Resort & Beach Club; The Lodge at Ko'ele, Lana'i; Mauna Lani Resort, Big Island; Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island; Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay; Princeville Resort, Kaua'i; and Grand Wailea Resort, Maui.

The magazine lists what it considers "the finest retreats in the U.S. based on the golf, service, amenities and overall luxury of the experience offered at each destination." It was compiled from the opinions of golfonline .com users and the magazine's subscribers, and input from the magazine's experts.

NOTES

Ka'anapali's Scott Ashworth was honored as the Head Professional of the Year by Bill Casper Golf at the company's annual meeting in Jacksonville, Fla. In 2005, the number of courses operated by BCG grew to 61, making it the fifth-largest golf course management firm in the United States.