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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, January 16, 2009

Fujikawa: Father's problems not distraction

 •  Maruyama tames Waialae

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Chad Campbell

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Tadd Fujikawa's father followed his son hole-for-hole along with the gallery at Waialae Country Club yesterday, a quiet, supportive presence through the opening day of the Sony Open in Hawai'i.

Fujikawa said the drug distribution charges hanging over his father have not been a major disruption.

Derrick Fujikawa, 45, is free on $50,000 bail after being indicted in September on two counts of first-degree methamphetamine trafficking.

Fujikawa shot a 1-over-par 71 under windy conditions yesterday, a score that keeps him solidly in the running to make today's cut in the PGA event. Fujikawa gained fame two years ago at age 16 as the youngest to make a PGA cut in 50 years.

"It (the charges) have not been a distraction; absolutely not," Fujikawa said, talking freely about the situation with reporters. "I'm not gonna lie and say I don't think about them, but I have my own things to worry about. I have school and I have golf right now."

Fujikawa, who turned 18 last week, is scheduled to graduate from Moanalua High in five months.

"I'm pretty strong mentally, for the most part, so my parents knew I'd be OK," Fujikawa said. "I'm fine. It can be tough because it is a family member, my dad, and we're close. But I have golf and school to worry about."

His mother, Lori, said, "I'm sure he thinks about it — anybody would. It is his family. But he tries to move on. He doesn't say much about it. He's very focused on golf."

FORGETTABLE TRIP TO HAWAI'I

Chad Campbell flew all the way to Hawai'i and only got to play one round of golf.

And it wasn't even at Waialae.

In a fluke start to his season, Campbell forgot to sign up for the Sony Open in Hawai'i and didn't realize it until he had made the 8-hour flight from Dallas to Honolulu.

"Not good," Campbell said yesterday from his home outside Dallas. "I had actually thought about it on the plane, that there was a chance I didn't commit. I found out when I got off the plane."

Campbell landed Saturday afternoon. The deadline to enter a tournament is Friday afternoon.

He played golf at a different course with his caddie and friends Sunday morning, then caught a redeye flight back to Dallas.

Campbell said it was the first time in his career he forgot to sign up for a tournament. He usually handles that himself, with reminders from his agent and caddie.

PRO AM PLAYER, 82, GETS ACE

After 63 years of playing as a member and guest, Clarence K.H. Yee finally got his first hole-in-one at Waialae Country Club at the Sony Open in Hawai'i Pro-Am on Wednesday.

And because it was on a prize hole, the par-3, 189-yard 17th, the 82-year-old Yee won an 18-karat Harry Winston Excenter Timepiece, valued at $18,000.

"This was the greatest thing that happened to me since I shot my age at 68," said Yee, a Honolulu insurance executive, who was paired with PGA Tour pro Kenny Perry.

Yee said the hole-in-one was surprising because, "when the west wind is blowing from diamondhead, the 17th is a very tough hole."

Yee said he began to tire at the 15th hole and he asked Perry to sign his hat to give him luck. Two holes later, it paid off.

Yee usually uses a 6-iron on the 17th hole, but swung a 5-wood instead.

"(Perry) said, 'Clarence, I think it went in the hole,' '' Yee said. After Perry's caddie confirmed it, "I was elated."

The 17th hole also was designated as the "closest-to-the pin hole," so Yee also receives a Ping Rapture V2 Hybrid golf club.

"Kenny Perry said I must be really blessed, and I said, 'Yes, I am,' " Yee said.

— Bart Asato