Punahou graduate Julie Brooks is the new head golf coach of the UC Irvine women's team. Brooks has been an assistant coach at the University of Hawai'i since 2004 and was a volunteer assistant coach at California from 2000 to 2002.

She also worked for Cooke Island Distributors, Hawai'i's distributor of Callaway Golf, since 2002. Brooks was a pro at Oahu, Burning Tree and Elmwood Country Clubs and is an LPGA Teaching Division member.

She played for Arizona from 1986 to 1988 and turned pro in 1989. Brooks was on the Futures Tour until 1992. She earned a degree in history from Hawai'i Pacific University.

"Julie brings a terrific personality, values, and experience to the position," Irvine athletic director Bob Chichester said. "She has been a successful player, teacher, and coach who has established some great relationships within the golf community. We believe that our team and future recruits will enjoy competing under her leadership."

Brooks becomes the second head coach for the UCI program, replacing Kelly Crawford, the new head coach at Iowa. UCI is the two-time defending Big West Champion and returns Big West Player of the Year Selaneé Henderson. The Anteaters were ninth at last season's NCAA West Regional.

HICKAM INVITATIONAL TEES OFF TOMORROW

Moanalua sophomore Tadd Fujikawa won't be able to defend his Hickam Invitational championship this weekend. That doesn't mean the young guns won't make some noise beginning tomorrow at Hickam's Mamala Bay Course.

Kaimuki's Chan Kim and Honoka'a's Sean Maekawa, the top two finishers in the 2006 state high school championship, are entered at Hickam. The 53-man championship flight also includes Alex Chu, Blaine Kimura, Ryan Perez, Samuel Rodriguez III and 2002 champion Shannon Sibayan.

Golfers start from 6:30 a.m. each day. The field will be cut in half after Saturday's second round. The final foursome is expected to finish around 1 p.m. Sunday.

The tournament was originally scheduled for May, but was rained out.

PGA'S WINNERS-ONLY EVENT GETS NEW NAME

Kapalua's Mercedes Championships has been renamed the the Mercedes-Benz Championship. The $5.5 million event kicks off the PGA Tour season in January. It is open only to winners from the previous year.

The 2007 Mercedes will be Jan. 4 to 7 at Kapalua's Plantation Course. It will be live on The Golf Channel, with Australia's Stuart Appleby going for a record-setting fourth consecutive title.

The tournament has been known as the Mercedes Championships since 1994.

"The change to Mercedes-Benz Championship is primarily about the visual impact of the three-pointed star logo within the telecast," said Mark Mc-Nabb, vice president of marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA, in a press release.

Tickets, starting at $15, are available to buy and print on-line through ClicknPrint Tickets. Go to kapalua.com or call (877) 772-5425. For tournament information, call (866) 669-2440.

NOTES

Waikoloa representative Peter Jacobsen has told the Champions Tour he will have surgery Saturday to replace his left hip. Jacobsen does not expect to compete in any more official events this year, but could return to competition in November. He has six top-10 finishes this year.