GOLF REPORT
Hamamoto returning to defend Kona title
| • | Jennie K. should open field to young talent |
Advertiser Staff
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Hilo's Jarett Hamamoto will defend his title in this weekend's Kona Open at Kona Country Club's Ocean and Mountain courses. The $23,000 tournament, presented by Kuma Contracting and Shell Vacations, features 104 of the state's best golfers in Open (pro) and Championship (amateur) flights.
Hamamoto shot 2-under-par 70 in the final round last year to edge Sean Maekawa, then a Ho-noka'a senior. Maekawa won the 2007 state high school championship, while Hamamoto won in 2001 and 2002.
Hamamoto turned pro two years ago, after playing for the University of Hawai'i and winning the 2005 Hawai'i State Open. He finished second at the 2006 Kona Open.
Others in the field include pros Regan Lee, Kevin Hayashi, John Hearn, Joe Phengsavath, John Lynch and Damien Jamila. Some of the top amateurs are Alika Bell, Gabriel Wilson, Henry Park, Max Bonk and Alex Ching, who won this year's state high school championship. Senior professionals include Lance Taketa, Chuck Davis, Rodney Acia and Dean Prince.
Ching, KC Botelho, Lynch and Hamamoto play together in Saturday's first round, starting on the first tee at the Mountain Course at 9:06 a.m. Play begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m. Sunday.
WOMEN TEE IT UP
Seven Hawai'i sites are participating in the American Express Women's Golf Month in June. The nationwide initiative is supported by Golf For Women magazine. More than 68,000 women across the country have been introduced or re-introduced to the game over the past three years, inspiring organizers to extend the promotion to the entire month.
The Hawai'i participants:
LPGA Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez and LPGA/PGA pro Suzy Whaley are national spokeswomen. Females 14 and older are eligible to participate.
The promotion is part of the national Play Golf America campaign. More details are available at PlayGolfAmerica.com.
KAHILI ENTRIES OPEN
Entry deadline for the revived Kahili Maui Open is May 29. This is the first time the tournament has been played since 2002. It will be June 7 and 8 at Kahili Golf Course.
Entry fees are $175 for amateurs, $225 for Aloha Section PGA-affiliated pros and $275 for non-affiliated pros.
Pros will play for a minimum of $15,000 in cash and amateurs $3,000 in merchandise certificates. Tee times start at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
NOTES
The Hawai'i Golf Representatives Association will have a Sample Sale on May 31, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Washington Intermediate Cafeteria (1633 S. King St). Golf equipment, accessories and apparel will be available.
Former Maui resident Kyung Kim and Trey Ka'ahanui, whose parents are Kahuku High graduates, were selected by the American Junior Golf Association to represent the United States in the second annual Evian Masters Juniors Cup, July 19 and 20 in France. Both juniors live in Arizona. The AJGA went by the Polo Golf Rankings to choose the team of players 14 and younger.
