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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, June 5, 2008

GOLF REPORT
Wilson to play in U.S. Open

 •  Kahili will host return of Maui Open tourney

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Dean Wilson

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Dean Wilson was the only Hawai'i man standing after Monday's U.S. Open sectional qualifying. While Wilson advanced out of the hotly contested Ohio sectional, and Parker McLachlin did not, six other Hawai'i golfers failed to move on around the country.

At Olympic Club, in Daly City, Calif., Damien Jamila (77-78—155), Cory Oride (80-80—160) and TJ Figueroa (81-88—169) did not advance. Amateurs Sean Maekawa (78-74—152) and Bradley Yosaitis (84-85—169) were unsuccessful in Oregon and Pierre-Henri Soero (77-79—156) finished 32nd in Florida.

The women's sectionals are Monday. Punahou students Cyd Okino and Anna Jang, and Margarita Ramos, of Paradise Valley, Ariz., will play for one spot at Turtle Bay. Michelle Wie, Ayaka Kaneko, Mari Chun, Jaclyn Hilea, Lehua Wise and Bridget Dwyer will attempt to qualify on the Mainland.

Okino, a freshman, and Jang, a junior, were teammates on Punahou's state championship team this year. Jang won the individual championship last year and was second this year. Okino has won the last two Hawai'i State Open women's titles and captured the Hawai'i State Women's Match Play Championship at age 11, in 2005.

Ramos is a senior at Phoenix Xavier College Preparatory in Arizona, but is from Mexico City. She finished 58th at this year's Corona Morelia Championship, an LPGA event in Mexico. Ramos is headed to the University of Arizona in the fall, on a golf scholarship, to follow in the footsteps of Lorena Ochoa.

Last year Amy Yang won the Hawai'i sectional at Turtle Bay. Sunday, Yang won the HypoVereinsbank Ladies German Open, with Wie finishing sixth. It was the 18-year-old South Korean's second victory on the Ladies European Tour, but first as a pro. Two years ago she won the ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia as a 16-year-old amateur.

Yang, who leads the LET's money list, donated her entire first-prize check to earthquake victims in China.

Tournament officials credited Wie, who finished under par for the first time in nearly two years, for drawing nearly 17,000 spectators to the first tournament in Germany in seven years. It was more than double the expected attendance.

SERVICES FOR NAKAMA ON TUESDAY AT HOSOI

Sueo Nakama, father of Hawai'i golfer and coach Casey Nakama, died May 24 at age 80. Nakama is known to a generation of Hawai'i golfers for following his son at nearly every tournament.

Sueo, who owned the Moanalua Chevron station across from Navy-Marine Golf Course, started golfing after Casey picked up the game at 18. Casey went on to win several state titles and now runs the Casey Nakama Golf Development Center. As a teacher, he is best known for starting Michelle Wie and creating the languid swing that gave her such huge early success.

Casey came by his teaching skills naturally.

"The best advice my dad ever gave me is, 'If you don't like losing, practice harder,' " Casey Nakama said. "He was never one who scolded me. He'd just say, 'Let's fix the problem.' "

Sueo's brother Larry owned the restaurant at Olomana Golf Links, where Nakama teaches. Larry's son Lloyd was a longtime pro at Olomana.

Sueo is survived by wife, Sally; sons, Michael and Casey; daughter, Caryn Kaya; six grandchildren; brother, Archie "Nobu"; and sister, Florence Igarashi.

Visitation is 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary, with the service at 6 p.m. The family requests no flowers and casual attire.

REHAB GOLF CHALLENGE NETS RECORD $258,825

The First Hawaiian Bank REHAB Golf Challenge netted a record $258,825 last week, with 288 golfers participating at Hawai'i Prince. The tournament has raised $2.1 million in 14 years.

Funds will be used for scholarships for hospital personnel to further their studies as well as for charity care, so no patients are denied services.

"On behalf of all those who have responsibilities for direct patient care, 24/7 at REHAB, thank you very much for your incredible fundraising," said REHAB medical executive Gary A. Okamoto. "Every dollar raised for REHAB will enable the clinical team to reach every patient with better skill, more expertise, and good clinical outcomes. At 1,900 inpatient admission and 5,000-6,000 outpatient visits annually and over 200 clinical practitioners, your 'best' this year will make a difference in how we rehabilitate and rebuild the lives of future patients together."

The Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific is the only acute care medical rehabilitation organization serving both Hawai'i and the Pacific Region.

KA'ANAPALI'S JUNIOR GOLF CLASSES START NEXT WEEK

Ka'anapali Golf Resort will begin its summer Junior Golf Program Wednesday, with classes running weekly through July 30, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Cost is $50 per player for the eight-week series. It is open to golfers ages 7 to 17. The program will cover rules and etiquette, short game, full swing and more. Classes are limited to 20. For more information or to sign up, call the resort at 661-3691.

TUESDAY DEADLINE FOR KA'ANAPALI'S FAM EVENT

Ka'anapali's semi-annual free FAM event and free golf tournament is Wednesday on the Ka'anapali Kai Course.

The day starts at 2:15 p.m. with tournament registration (3 p.m. tee-off). Check-in for a beginners' clinic, with a tour of the golf resort, is at 5:30 p.m. An after-party begins at 7 p.m.

Entry deadline is Tuesday. For applications and information, call 661-0203 on Maui.

NEW RATES FOR MILITARY, KAMA'AINA AT KO'OLAU

Ko'olau Golf Club has new rates for kama'aina and active military through July.

Green fees are $49 every day before 2 p.m. and $39 after. Golfers starting after 5 p.m. can play for $25. Kama'aina seniors (55-older) pay $35 Monday to Friday, any time.

Residents, military and seniors must show valid ID. Rates are good for up to four golfers and include shared cart fee.