Have you checked out The Hot Seat? It's our opinion-page blog that brings in your elected leaders and people in the news and lets you ask the questions during a live online chat.

On the Hot Seat last week was teen golfer Tadd Fujikawa, fresh off his win at the Pearl Open.

Below is an excerpt from that Hot Seat session. To see the full conversation, go to The Hot Seat blog at www.honoluluadvertiser.com/opinion and click on "On the Hot Seat: Teen Golfer Tadd Fujikawa." (Names of the questioners are screen names given during the online chat.)

Vince Aquino: With all that is going on with publicity, and promotion of your talents, which are well deserved I might add, how do you intend on staying grounded as an individual but yet achieve all the monetary endorsements, as well as maintaining your education?

Tadd: Well, I must admit that it is very hard to do all of these things. But, I know that to become a good golfer, I must do all of these things ... so I plan to keep on practicing and staying focused.

Tom: The Reno-Tahoe PGA Tour event date is the week after the U.S. Junior Amateur and two weeks before the U.S. Amateur. I know that Jim Kline, the Reno-Tahoe Tournament Director, is very interested in offering you an exemption, and I just wondered if you have considered playing in the Reno-Tahoe event if you are offered an exemption. In addition, I remember reading a rumor that you might play in a couple of events on the Japan Tour, any truth to those rumors?

Thanks, and good luck in your golfing career.

Tadd: Yes, it is true that I will possibly be playing one or two tournaments in Japan; however I am very interested in playing the Reno-Tahoe PGA tournament. It fits in my schedule quite well.

Coffee: First, I'd like to say congratulations! What other events are you planning on participating in?

Tadd: Thank you very much. Please see my answer to Tom. In addition, I will still be playing junior tournaments and USGA tournaments.

Christian: Tadd, I admire your skills. With all the golfing tournaments, practices, etc., do you ever worry that you are missing out on just being a kid? (I am a student also.) I also wonder how you keep up with homework and everything else?

Tadd: I am not worried about missing out on being a kid because I am doing what I totally enjoy. I practice a lot with other juniors and have a lot of fun. I keep up with homework by making arrangements with teachers and being organized.

Kazu: Howzit Tadd! You're a great ambassador for the game! Keep up the hard work, it's paying off. Question: How long is your driver, and what flex is it?

Tadd: Once again, thank you. My driver is 44 1/2 inches and flex is x-stiff.

Jon B.: After your success recently, how has life changed for you; have you gotten anything out of the ordinary from the people around you? What would you be doing if you weren't golfing?

Tadd: Life has changed quite a bit. I have been a lot busier with interviews. I have not received much. I can't imagine life without golf ... but probably judo.

Scott Koga: Why did you wear the Callaway cap for the whole tournament? Are you positioning yourself for a possible future deal with them?

You gave them a lot of free advertising. Although it was nice that Phil Mickelson called you after the tournament, I wonder if it was no coincidence that he is sponsored by Callaway.

Tadd: I really like the design of their cap. But also, Callaway helps me out with some of my equipment. It is now legal that a manufacturer can help an amateur with only equipment ... no money. No possible future deal. I just like their clubs.

Tina: You are an inspiration to many young people. What advice would you give to them if they wanted to follow in your footsteps?

Tadd: My advice would to stay focused. Always have a dream. Practice hard. Never give up. But most of all ... do it for yourself!

Lisa: Are you feeling more pressure from people to succeed. And if so, how are you coping with that?

Tadd: I don't feel any pressure. Mostly because I am doing it for myself and not for my parents. I just love golf!

David K.: Just wanted to know what your plans might be for the next four years? Are you planning on staying an amateur or going pro? Do you plan to go to college, and if so, which one? Good luck, and it will be great hearing from you.

Tadd: I have 2 1/2 more years of high school to finish. Then I will be off to college. I do not plan on turning pro just yet. I would like to learn more about my game and golf in general. However, I do enjoy having a caddie.

Chris: Which do you like better, your old X-Tours or your current X-Forged?

Tadd: I like the X-Tours although the X-Forged are easier for me to work the ball. They are also more pleasing to the eye. Same forgiveness.

CAE: How long do you want to wait until you turn pro? Do you plan on continuing your education after high school? What college would you like to attend, and what major would you pursue?

Tadd: I am not sure how long I am going to wait to turn pro. I am also not sure about my college. I would like to major in business-finance or international.

Wayne: You are a great golf ambassador for Hawai'i! Other than that superb putter, what else is in your bag?

Tadd: I am using the FT-5 Callaway Driver, Callaway X-Hot 3 wood, X-Forged Irons, 52 and 56 degree wedges by Callaway, 60 degree wedge by Fourteen. I used a 60 degree wedge by Sonartec at Sony Open, but I am just trying these new Fourteen wedges.

Joe M.: How do you stay so cool and have that total confidence look when you play and when you are interviewed? You come across as being most wholesome and trusting, and I hope for (your) sake, this never changes. When did you first start golfing, what really interested you about it and how much time (do you) spend practicing, hours per day?

Tadd: I just be myself and speak from my heart. I am basically a pretty simple kid that plays golf. I practice about four to five hours on weekdays and six to seven hours on weekends. Golf really interested me when it really became a challenge.

Alex: Congrats on all the golf success you are experiencing. My family and I visited the Salt Lake District Park on a whim and came across a judo class. The sensei there said he was your grandfather. Do you still train judo, and does it help or hurt your golf game?

Tadd: Wow, Alex that is cool! The instructor is my grandpa. He's a pretty nice guy. I do not train in judo anymore, but I come out to practice once in a long while.

Jane: Our son is 10 years old and he loves golf and started junior golf last year. He loved the competition, and he can't wait for this season. He also loves baseball and plays on two different teams. Our golf pro says baseball and golf are not a good mix, which I can understand because of the difference in the swings. What do you feel is a good age to make the decision to play one sport or the other?

Tadd: Playing golf and baseball is really not a good mix. There is not necessarily a good age to make a decision, but just make the choice when he is really ready to make sacrifices. He needs to totally love what he does in order for him to be successful.