Golf might be an individual game. But when it comes to supporting each other, golfers are among the most selfless and giving individuals of any sport.

How else to explain the hugely successful benefit golf tournaments held annually to raise money for a good cause — whether it be the $9 million generated by the Friends of Hawai'i Charities with the Sony Open in Hawai'i in the past 10 years or the less ambitious but equally important fundraisers. Such as the one held for Mari Chun to defray expenses in her quest to play on the LPGA Tour when she turns pro later this summer.

More than 120 golfers — from Hawai'i Hall of Famers such as David Ishii, Bev Kim and Lori Castillo to high handicappers —participated in a benefit Tuesday at the Pearl Country Club. The support overwhelmed the recent Stanford graduate.

"I'm really grateful for the turnout. It's just a wonderful feeling to see so many people supporting my endeavors and my aspirations," said Chun, who thanked every player while posing for photos with each of the 41 three-person teams at the 10th tee. "It's a great opportunity for me and a great opportunity to thank them as well."

Taylor Kaaina, a family friend and a marshal at Pearl Country Club, helped to organize the event. "Uncle Taylor knew me like when I was 5 or 6 years old," Chun said.

But it was like everyone was Mari's uncle or auntie, such was the spirit of 'ohana that day.

The Pearl CC staff came out in full force. Joining Ishii, who's the director of golf, were Guy Yamamoto, the 1994 U.S. Men's Public Links champion; Regan Lee and Guy Nakagawa, who was the biggest winner at the awards banquet, collecting the most door prizes.

The close bond with the golf course isn't surprising. Chun hails from Pearl City and got her first golf lesson attending its junior golf program when she was 9. She had been into ballet but gave it up for golf because the rest of the family were golfers and she didn't want to be left out. Her mom, Lani, volunteers at the Hawai'i Pearl Open and also helps with Ishii's annual fundraiser to benefit the boys and girls state high school championships.

There were serious golfers in the field, including TJ Kua, the University of Hawai'i sophomore who just won 109th Manoa Cup; his father, Stan, and Brett Komoto, both scratch players as well. TJ took family bragging rights but his dad, a former UH football player, really stood out — at least his three-month afro hairdo did. "Barber shop's too expensive," said the elder Kua, who went back to the past with his afro do, fashionable during his UH football days thanks to two of the Fabulous Five mainstays, Bob Nash and John Penebecker.

And the not-so serious golfers, such as Michael Chun, Kamehameha Schools president. He's proud of Mari and remembers her as a straight-A student and captain of the girls golf team for two years. They're not related. But Chun and his wife, Bina, are like hanai parents, according to Mari's mom, Lani: "They mentored her and followed her all through the years." They'll be staying at the Chun's home in Waimea when Mari tries to qualify for the U.S. Women's Amateur at the Waikoloa Kings' Course Saturday.

Even Les Tamashiro, who recently retired as Titleist representative in Hawai'i, took time off from surfing (can you believe 28 days in row?) to golf. He partnered with KHNL's Howard Dashefsky and Cleveland golf rep, George Krason, who donated a bunch of wedges as prizes.

It wasn't so much about winning, but the best score was a 15-under-par 57 turned in by Castillo, University of Hawai'i women's golf coach, who played with her brother, Joey, the local Ping representative, and fellow pro Wade Nishimoto. Never mind that Lori played from the red tees. She figured it was all right because her team had a zero handicap, which resulted in a third-place finish overall.

Alan Chun thanked those who played in the benefit for his daughter: "Your support allowed her to grow not only as an athlete, but as a better person," he said.

"This is a good start for her," added Ishii. "It's nice to have people behind you and wish you well. We all hope they do well as they go on to their professional careers. It's tough, you've got to do a lot of traveling and spend a lot of time away from home." He just hopes Mari can make it a successful career as a professional, whether it be the LPGA or any of the other women's tours.

There will be another local Mari Chun sighting in the HSWGA Stroke Play Championship later this month at the Mid-Pacific Country Club. She won the event in 2005 just before enrolling at Stanford. "It'll be my last hurrah in amateur golf (locally)," said Chun, who hopes to be in St. Louis the following week for the U.S. Women's Amateur. After that, it'll be the sectional qualifying for the LPGA Q-School in September.

The only bummer at Chun's get-together that evening was the news that there will be no Kapalua LPGA Classic in October. The LPGA event is one-and-done with Kapalua touring pro Morgan Pressel left without a tournament title to defend. The Chun family had written a letter asking for a sponsor's exemption in what could have been Mari's pro debut before a home crowd. It's too bad for everyone, especially the LPGA, which has lost yet another tournament and now has none in Hawai'i.