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The Honolulu Advertiser


Advertiser Staff

Posted on: Thursday, February 11, 2010

Chan, Oride compete in Mainland tourneys

 • Turtle Bay setting stage for local pros
Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Lorens Chan, who won the state high school championship last year as an 'Iolani freshman, will miss the Hawai'i Pearl Open this week after receiving an invitation to play in the HP Boys Championship at Carlton Woods. The AJGA invitational runs Saturday to Monday at The Woodlands in Texas.

The field of 78 includes golfers from 18 states and four foreign countries, and 16 of the Polo Golf Rankings' Top 20. Past champions include Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods.

Kaua'i High junior Kelli Oride is in the Annika Invitational this weekend, at Reunion Resort in Florida. That field is led by 2009 Rolex Junior Player of the Year Victoria Tanco, a 15-year-old from Florida, and includes 21 Rolex Junior All-Americans.

ALOHA SECTION PGA REPLACING ITS STAFF

Hawai'i's Aloha Section PGA is in the process of replacing its entire staff. The section is one of 41 nationwide under the PGA of America umbrella. Its mission is to "promote interest, participation, enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf, establish and maintain standards of practice and enhance the well being of golf professionals."

The Hawai'i section has some 260 members and apprentices who manage and operate more than 80 percent of the state's 93 golf courses.

The section lost all three of its employees last month when Jim Haugh (Executive Director/CEO), Shawn McCauley (Tournament and Event Director) and Joy Kunishima (Office Manager) resigned. Kunishima, who had been invaluable to the organization the last 12 years, accepted a position closer to home with Town & Country.

Cyndy Dlugosz, who worked for the Indiana section previously, came to the Aloha Section as a volunteer last summer and is now working fulltime in member services and as events manager. Darrell Bock, the PGA of America's Director of Section Affairs, was here last week to attend a board meeting and offer assistance. Board member Neil Ozaki is volunteering in the office.

The board is now interviewing Aloha Section members for a new Executive Director. Aloha Section President Matt Hall hopes to have the applicant pool narrowed by the time the new board takes over Feb. 23.

CHING HELPS USD WIN TOURNAMENT

Punahou graduate Alex Ching helped San Diego rally to win its USD Callaway Invitational Tuesday. The Toreros erased a six-shot deficit against 25th-ranked SMU on the final day and won by three.

Ching, a USD sophomore and former Mānoa Cup champion, finished second individually. He closed with 69 for a three-round total of 5-under-par 211, three shots out of first.

The tournament was played at Farms Golf Club, USD's home course and site of next year's NCAA West Regionals.

SORE BACK KEEPS KONO OUT OF ACTION

UCLA's women's golf team, ranked No. 1 by GolfStat and No. 2 by GolfWeek and the NGCA, played without sophomore All-American Stephanie Kono this week in its first spring event. The Punahou graduate is resting a sore back that first flared up last summer. She expects to play in the Bruins' next event.

UCLA was second in all four of its fall events. Kono is ranked 11th individually, with senior teammate Sydnee Michaels No. 4.

Kono finished 16th in the NCAA Championship as a freshman, winning one tournament and leading the Bruins in scoring average. The 2006 state high school champion was also named to the honor roll both semesters.

PGA CLASSIC TO BE HELD AT TURTLE BAY

The Aloha Section PGA Foundation will have its 34th annual PGA Classic March 19 at Turtle Bay Resort. The tournament is the foundation's primary fundraiser for programs such as scholarships, junior golf, community outreach, golf development, research and education.

There are five amateurs and a pro on each team. Entry fee is $235 per amateur. Format is "shamble" with two three-golfer sub teams.

Turtle Bay is offering a special hotel rate; call 293-8811. Sponsorship packages are available; call 593-2230.

NOTES

Nike Golf will host a Demo Day Saturday at Ko'olau Golf Club's practice range. Nike's latest products will be available to test from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, with swing tips, custom club fitting and special pricing.

Sunday's Emily T Gail Talks Golf and Other Sports will start at 1 p.m. on ESPN Radio AM850 Hilo/AM790 Kona. Guests will include players and coaches from the University of Hawai'i-Hilo's 20th Mauna Lani Collegiate Invitational.

The Na Hoaloha O McKinley Tournament, a benefit for McKinley High School athletics, will be April 8 at Leilehua, with an 11:30 a.m. shotgun start. Format is three-person scramble and entry fee is $150. Entry deadline is March 12. Call 594-0418 for information.

Turtle Bay has started a Kama'aina Golf Program. For $75, members get a discount on kama'aina rates all year, one free round of golf, a $25 gift card for the golf shop, GHIN handicap, invitations to monthly tournaments and special merchandise discounts. Call 293-8574 for information.