Kapalua Plantation, home of the PGA Tour's season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship, is ninth in the Zagat Survey's list of Most Popular courses. The sixth edition of Zagat's America's Top Golf Courses was just published.

Bethpage Black in New York, home of this year's U.S. Open, is No. 1 on the the Top-Rated Course list, and second to Pebble Beach (Calif.) on the Most Popular list. Hualalai on the Big Island is on the Top 10 Top-Rated Facilities list, ranking ninth.

The book's top five Hawai'i courses are Kapalua Plantation, Challenge at Manele, Princeville Prince, Po'ipu Bay and Experience at Manele — all on the Neighbor Islands.

The book is based on experiences of more than 6,000 golfers.

NOTES

QUALIFYING: Local qualifiers for the third McGladrey Team Championship, formerly The PGA McGladrey Team Championship, start this month in Hawai'i. The online registration process (http://www.PGA.com/teamchampionship) is part of the national best-ball amateur championship, conducted by PGA of America.

There are six local qualifiers: April 25 at Princeville's Prince Course on Kaua'i, June 13 at Oahu Country Club, June 20 at Kahili, June 27 at Ka'anapali, July 12 at Turtle Bay, and July 18 at Makalei.

Teams that advance through local and section qualifying events can participate in the national championship, featuring 41 four-member PGA Section champion teams, Oct. 26 to 28 at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort.

Section championships and the national championship will feature the host PGA pro, who will complete each winning team's foursome, and use two best net balls on each hole.

RADIO: Bryan Freeland, author of "The Golf Fanatic's Guide to Hawaii," will be a guest on Emily T Gail Talks Golf Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN Radio AM850 Hilo AND AM790 Kona. In his book, Freeland highlights his top 50 courses that are accessible to the public.

The book includes course descriptions, playing tips from course representatives, driving directions, nearby accommodation options, contact information and many more details.