Mitsubishi Electric and the PGA Tour have announced that the electronic products company has taken over title sponsorship of the season-opening Champions Tour event at Hualalai. The tournament, known as the MasterCard Championship since it moved to the Big Island in 1997, is now the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.

Next year's tournament will be Jan. 23 to 25. All three rounds will be shown on The Golf Channel. The contract runs through 2012.

Brian Goin, the tournament's executive director, called it an "exciting announcement," particularly in light of the economic downturn and a "real bright spot" for the tour, Mitsubishi and Hualalai.

Fred Funk is defending champion in the $1.8 million event, which brings together winners from the previous two years, major champions from the last five years and four sponsor's exemptions who have at least 15 wins including a major. Jeff Sluman, Andy North and Bruce Vaughan are new to the tournament of champions this year. The four sponsor exemptions will be named later.

At the same time, Mitsubishi announced an extension of its tour marketing partnership that provides Diamond Vision LED scoreboards to nearly every PGA Tour event. Mitsubishi will provide the scoreboards to the Champions Tour for the first time at Hualalai.

"Mitsubishi Electric has been quite pleased with our association with the PGA Tour, which has given us great opportunities to develop and strengthen business relationships," said Akira Tasaki, president/CEO of Mitsubishi Electric U.S. Holdings. "Our title sponsorship of one of the premier Champions Tour events will enable us to reach out even more to our target audiences."

For tournament and ticket information, call 800-417-2770.

HILO FINISHES FIFTH

The Hawai'i-Hilo men's team finished fifth yesterday in the 4th Annual Dennis Rose Invitational at the Mauna Lani North Course.

The Vulcans shot a final-round 284 to finish at 7-under 857. Hilo's B team (898) finished 11th, Hawai'i Pacific (903) 12th and Brigham Young-Hawai'i (945) 14th. St. Edwards won a tiebreaker with Valdosta State after both finished at 843.

Western Washington's Jake Koppenberg shot a final-round 64—202.

Cal Baptist won the women's tournament with 305—909.