Kevin Carll is defending champion at the 11th annual Hilo Invitational Pro-Am and tournament at Hilo Municipal. The Pro-Am starts at 11 a.m. tomorrow, with the 36-hole stroke-play event starting at 7 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday.

Carll, a head pro at Turtle Bay, shot a 6-under-par 65 in the last round last year to win by a shot over Joe Phengsavath and amateur Pono Calip, now a Kamehameha-Hawai'i senior who plans to play for the University of Hawai'i next year.

Carll was the first pro in four years to win at Hilo, with Jarett Hamamoto, Kellen-Floyd Asao and Nick Mason capturing the previous three titles. David Ishii won the inaugural event in 1998 and PGA Tour player Dean Wilson was the champion in 2001 and 2002.

NOTES

Among the PGA Tour's many statistics three involving Punahou graduate Parker McLachlin stand out. He is 23rd in putting average (1.743), eighth in scoring average (69.81) and second in three-putt avoidance (93 percent). McLachlin has a 10th, 14th and 29th in three 2008 starts, and has won $233,955.

"Big Break Ka'anapali," filmed on Maui a few months ago and premiering April 15 on The Golf Channel, will offer its winner an invitation to play in the Navistar LPGA Classic. In addition to the exemption, the winner will have entry fees waived to play on the 2009 Duramed Futures Tour, as well as an Adams Golf endorsement contract, which includes $10,000, and a BMW Z4 Coupe.