On Feb. 8th, Jesse Mueller fired a 7-under 65 in the final round to finish at 19-under-par and capture the 31st Pearl Open. Mueller, a 25-year-old professional from Arizona, tied the tournament record of 197 set by Katsumasa Miyamoto back in 1998. His eight-stroke margin of victory is believed to be the largest in the tournament's history, and earned him $12,000. 2007 champ Tadd Fujikawa finished with a 212 total to finish in 22nd place.
Glenn Tamagawa & Tom Freestone Capture Assistant 4-Ball Championship
Glenn Tamagawa of Wailua Golf Course and Tom Freestone of Princeville, HI shot a two-day combined total of 7-under par 137 to take home the victory. Twenty-two (22) teams of forty-four (44) island professionals played for a purse of $5,150. This is a special event geared for Assistant Professionals and Apprentices from all over the state representing many of the different golf courses and facilities.
The 2009 Assistants Four-Ball Championship was held on March 9-10, 2009 at the Honolulu Country Club. The event featured a 36-hole four-ball stroke play team event. Wade Nishimoto of Adam's Golf and Joey Castillo of Ping sponsored the awards luncheon and provided a special club-fitting seminar for the participants that will help current Apprentices with their studies in the Professional Golf Management (PGM) program.
Special thanks go out to Honolulu Country Club, tournament chair Simon Carpio, and Les Tamashiro of Titleist/Cobra for their efforts in making this a memorable and worthwhile event.
Mason Wins Hilo Invitational
Professional Nick Mason shot a 7-under-par 64 in the final round to claim this year's Hilo Invitational Pro-Am title, held Feb. 21-22 at the Hilo Municipal golf course. His two-day total of 9-under-par 133 edged runner-up Jarett Hamamoto by 4 shots. Kevin Shimomura was third at 138.
A Recap of Hawaii's PGA TOUR Events in Paradise
Mercedes-Benz Championship (Jan. 8-11)
Australia's Geoff Ogilvy won the PGA TOUR's season-opening, winners-only Mercedes-Benz Championship this year by six shots over runner-up finishers Anthony Kim and Davis Love III.
Ogilvy's closing round 68 for a 24-under-par 268 total was seven shots back of Ernie Els' tournament record set in 2003. Ogilvy entered the final round with a six shot lead, but soon found it reduced to just a single shot on the front nine. He then sank an eagle putt on the ninth hole, sparking great play on the back nine and the return of his big lead.
The victory was worth $1,120,000 million to Ogilvy, who would later add the 2009 World Match Play Championship title to his impressive list of accomplishments - which includes the 2006 U.S. Open and a total of six PGA TOUR wins.
Playing in his first Mercedes-Benz Championship, Honolulu's Parker McLachlin collected $64,000 for his share of 24th place at 286. After a rough start, McLachlin played his final 58 holes in 12-under-par.
Zach Johnson fired a final round 65 to hold off both Adam Scott and David Toms and win this year's Sony Open in Hawaii by two shots. Charles Howell III bogeyed the final hole to shoot 66 and finish alone in fourth at 12-under.
Johnson, the 2007 Masters Champion, earned $972,000 for the victory and now has five PGA TOUR wins to his credit. Scott and Toms each collected $475,200 for their runner-up finishes.
Tadd Fujikawa, a local Moanalua high school senior, became a huge story when he not only made the cut, but fired a spectacular 62 in the third round to contend with the leaders. He would fall back in the final round with a 73 that left him in a tie for 32nd place, earning $29,237. Fujikawa's spectacular play resulted in new attendance records being set for Saturday (12,900) and Sunday (18,000).
On March 15th, 14-year-old Lorens Chan, an Iolani School freshman, won the Hawaii State Amateur Stroke Play Championship by a whopping eight strokes. His 10-under-par 206 at Pearl Country Club is now the lowest score since the tournament moved to Pearl in 1987 - and that was in just 3 days instead 4, as Saturday's third round had been rained out. Jonathan Ota finished in second place at 214. Ryan Perez was third with a 215 total.
On Sunday Jan. 18th, Fuzzy Zoeller defended his Champions Skins Game title with a new partner, collecting a dozen skins and earning $500,000 on the back nine to best first-day leaders Greg Norman and Jay Haas.
Zoeller's new partner this year was Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw - a late replacement for the injured Peter Jacobsen. Crenshaw and Zoeller finished the alternate-shot, made-for-tv event with a total of 13 skins and a record $530,000, surpassing the $510,000 previous record earned by Raymond Floyd and Dana Quigley three years ago.
The big-money skin was collected on the par-4 12th hole where Crenshaw hit a wedge to within 5 feet. Zoeller then calmly dropped in the $300,000 putt and raised his arms in celebration. Later, he exclaimed in jest, “Hell, if I had known the putt was worth $300,000, I would still be wiping myself right now.”
Greg Norman and Jay Haas won four skins worth $190,000. Bernhard Langer and Gary Player had one skin worth $50,000. Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson were shut out.
The Wendy's Champions Skins Game was televised on ESPN Feb 28-March 1.
Tadd Fujikawa, a Moanalua High School senior, has now made three consecutive PGA Tour cuts this year. It started with his sensational showing at this year's Sony Open in Hawaii, where he faulted into contention with a third round 62. He would finish that event in 32nd place, earning $29,237. Next, Fujikawa fired a final round 69 at the Honda Classic to tie for 52nd place and earn $12,805. A week later at the Puerto Rico Open, Fujikawa shot a final round 70 to gain a tie for 31st place, collecting $19,850. He has now earned a total of $61,892. Fujikawa's next confirmed event will be The Crowns, on the Japan Tour in April.
On March 18th, Hawaii's Michelle Wie, 19, officially signed with IMG after having severed ties with the William Morris agency a couple weeks earlier. IMG is one of the world's premier sports and entertainment companies and now holds exclusive rights to Wie's “worldwide management and marketing representation.”
Forbes Magazine ranked Wie fifth on their 2008 list of the highest paid female athletes, with Nike and Sony deals valued near $12 million.
Takahama Wins Amatour Hawaii Qualifying
On March 22, Mark Takahama won the 2009 Amatour Hawaii Qualifying Tournament with rounds of 70-72 and an even par 142 total at the Makaha Resort Golf Club. Takahama and 35 other top finishers qualified for the Amatour season, which gets underway April 25-26 at the Turtle Bay Resort.
Monte Ito Memorial Scholarships Available
Hawaii high school seniors and college students from Hawaii are eligible for Monte Ito Memorial Scholarships, which recognizes “outstanding achievements or potential in journalism and golf.”
The $1,500 scholarship is sponsored by The Advertiser and is run through the David S. Ishii Foundation. Entries are available at davidishiifoundation.org and hsjga.org, or by calling 525-8043.
2009 U.S. Open Qualifier Sites in Hawaii
Turtle Bay (Oahu) - May 9
Kaanapali (Maui) - May 16
Wailua (Kauai) - May 23
Waikoloa Kings' (Hawaii) - May 23
Entries Close: April 29
HDCP Index Required (1.4 or better)
Junior Golf Fundraiser on Big Island
On June 7, 2009, Hawaii Island Retreat and Kamehameha Park Golf Learning Center are proud to announce the 1st Annual Leichee Festival. The festival is for golfers and non-golfers alike and all proceeds will benefit junior golf in North Kohala.
For the golfer, the event starts with a golf clinic provided by Aloha Section Player of the year, Kevin Hayashi. A putting and chipping contest and a 3-per son scramble tournament at the Kamehameha Park Golf Center will be followed with awards, as the golfers joins non-golfing participants at the newly opened Hawaii Island Retreat. Non-golfer participants will enjoy relaxing music and the ocean calm at Hawaii Island Retreat. Quiet your mind and awaken your spirit.
The event will feature Big Island favorite live music, heavy pu pus, a silent auction, no host bar, and a fun filled, relaxing day. This first event will be limited to 150 participants. For entry form and additional information call 345-4393.
PLEASE NOTE: Kamehameha Park Golf Learning Center provides year round FREE golf, range access, equipment and lessons to junior golfers. The program is supported by the USGA and PGA of America. Currently the USGA has awarded a matching grant to KPGLC and all funds generated through the Lichee Festival will be applied towards the matching grant.
First Hawaiian Bank's REHAB Golf Challenge for Charity
Kaneohe's Dean Wilson, a regular on the PGA TOUR, has been named honorary chairman for the First Hawaiian Bank's REHAB Golf Challenge to be hosted at the Hawaii Prince Golf Club on May 27th. Wilson, who turned pro in 1992, has won once on the PGA TOUR and six times on the Japan TOUR.
Registration for this 3-person team scramble event is now open, with team entry fees starting at $350. Entry deadline is May 1st or until all 84 slots are filled. To register, or to get more information, call 566-3451.
Germany's Bernhard Langer shot a final round 68 to finish at 18-under-par, securing a two-stroke margin of victory over Andy Bean at this year?s Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.
Langer sank a birdie putt on the 15th hole to gain the lead by a shot, then never relinquished it. Bean's final round 66 and 199 total left him in second, two shots ahead of Jay Haas in third place. Langer collected $315,000 for the win, which was his fifth on the Champions TOUR.
This event marks the first of a new four-year sponsorship deal that keeps the season-opening event returning to Hawaii's Hualalai Resort, and the players are all very thankful.
Hawaii's Michelle Wie, 19, had a three-stroke advantage with just eight holes to play in the SBS Open at Turtle Bay's Palmer Course, but her first LPGA win would have to wait. The hottest golfer on the LPGA Tour the past five months, Angela Standford, made a back-nine charge that included three straight birdies at one point, allowing her to pass Wie down the stretch and claim victory.
Stanford finished with a final round 70 and a 10-under-par 206 total to beat Wie by three shots, and win her third tournament in seven starts. Stanford collected $180,000 in first place money.
Wie, who was playing in her first tournament as an LPGA Member, collected $108,332 for second place. This was Wie's fifth runner-up finish on the LPGA Tour. Wie is ranked 19th on the LPGA Money List (as of April 2nd) with $112,321 in earnings.
Kapalua's Morgan Pressel finished with rounds of 73-76-70 (219) and earned $9,905.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel celebrated its full-fledged return to business as one of the world's most revered resorts with its Grand Opening festivities this weekend.
The iconic Mauna Kea celebrated with themed events on Friday and Saturday featuring lavish dinners and concerts by Hawaii's most beloved duo, Cecilio & Kapono, and the internationally acclaimed jazz-fusion artistry of Hiroshima.
Jon Gersonde, general manager of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, noted that all the planning and hard work has paid off. “The resort has never looked better, we've had a full-house of guests this weekend, and our employees are energized about all the festivities. All systems are fully up-to-speed and our bookings are solid for the next several months.”
Gersonde noted that 85 percent of the hotel's employees have returned to work at the hotel and are enjoying the reunion with many long-time Mauna Kea guests.
Friday was themed as “Cuisines of the World” with chefs flown in from Japan to prepare a special selection of meals for the guests. A “Hawaiian Pa'ina Party” was the theme for a Saturday evening party under the stars of the Big Island's Kohala Coast.
Guests received special Grand Opening amenities throughout the weekend, including Nikon digital cameras, Plumeria Pendants, Hiroshima and Cecilio & Kapono music CDs, Big Island Candies, Mauna Kea Golf Club logo items, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel bags and Mauna Kea gift certificates.
Special events for the Grand Opening included two golf tournaments, a special Wine Tasting at the newly opened Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar with its state-of-the-art Enomatic wine system, a Cooking Lesson and special luncheon with Executive Chef George Gomes, Ti Leaf Lei and Skirt Making and Hula Classes, a Hawaiian Trail Hike, Mauna Kea Art Tour and Hawaiian Storytelling.
The opening of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel follows a multi-million dollar investment in redesigned guest rooms, new restaurants, a new spa, and an extensive makeover of the legendary golf course complete with a new clubhouse.
The hotel's classic exterior architecture design remains the same as before, with the most dramatic changes taking place inside the guestrooms featuring luxurious interior furnishings, upgraded bedding, oceanview bathrooms, and a host of the latest in entertainment amenities.
The total room and suite count has been reduced from 310 to 258 due to the enlarging of rooms in the main building. The Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa suites are a spacious 1,610 square feet (including lanai), with the Junior suites measuring nearly 1,000 square feet and the regular guest rooms on the remodeled floors having been expanded to 550 square feet.
A new attraction is The Mauna Kea Spa by Mandara offering an array of exotic treatments such as Exotic Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual Wrap, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage and Mandara Hot Stone Therapy.
Resort Executive Chef Piet Wigmans and Executive Chef George Gomes are directing the hotel's new culinary offerings. Gomes is returning to the Mauna Kea after a distinguished career in some of Hawaii's finest restaurants.
Hotel restaurants include the Manta Pavilion & Wine Bar, overlooking Manta Ray Point as giant manta rays feed nightly under spotlight and Monettes, a new fine dining restaurant offering inventive American French cuisine with island influences.
Guests will enjoy the many resort activities that have made the Mauna Kea such a popular setting for repeat visits, many of which extends over generations of families. These activities include the 13-court Seaside Tennis Club, the Salon at Mauna Kea, play-while-you learn children's activities, Hawaiian cultural experiences, the Art & Garden Tour, yoga and exercise classes, and enhanced beach services and cabanas.
The world-renowned Mauna Kea Golf Course is also open after being completely renovated from tee-to-green.
Overseen by Rees Jones, son of the original course designer, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the course layout has been upgraded and redesigned to USGA standards including new grass throughout, rebuilt bunkers, and a new irrigation system. The newly constructed Clubhouse features a pro shop and locker rooms, along with a comfortable restaurant for the enjoyment of all resort guests.
Opened in 1965 on 60 acres overlooking Kauna'oa Bay - one of Hawaii's finest natural white sand beaches - the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is known for a remarkable sense of place that embraces without intruding on its dramatic natural surroundings. In 2007, the American Institute of Architects recognized the hotel as one of the 150 best works of architecture nationwide.
Reservations can be arranged through a preferred travel planner or by calling Prince Resorts Hawaii's Luxury Desk toll-free at 1-866-977-4589. For the latest updates and information, please visit www.maunakeabeachhotel.com.
Oahu's only resort-based private, international country club and the island's first private club to be built in more than 30 years recently opened at Hoakalei, Hawaii's new Marina Resort Community. Hoakalei Country Club is home to Hawaii's first Ernie Els-designed golf course, offering members an unprecedented golf experience.
Overlooking Oahu's stunning southwestern coastline, the 18-hole championship course will span 248 acres of open vistas, providing picturesque ocean views on many holes. The par-72 course will stretch 7,400 yards, combining immaculate greens with numerous white sand bunkers and other hazards. Water will play an important role on the course, with strategically placed natural and man-made lakes and lagoons coming into play on 12 holes.
In addition to the Els-designed golf course, Hoakalei Country Club will feature a temporary clubhouse located between holes #9 and #10. Plans for a permanent two-story facility offering spectacular views of both the golf course and marina are in development. Hoakalei Country Club is part of Haseko's new master-planned community of Hoakalei, which when complete, will feature a full-service marina, hotel, resort spa, resort residences, exclusive beach and canoe club and vibrant waterfront commercial district.
Limited membership opportunities are still available at Hoakalei Country Club. For more information, call Tulinh Luciano-DeSmith, director of sales and marketing, at 808-388-4049 or contact via email at tulinh.luciano-desmith@clubcorp.com.
Attention Advertisers!
Don't miss out on your opportunity to target your ad message directly to Hawaii's visiting and local golfers in the next issue of Hawaii Golf Guide. For advertising information, please contact Pro Graphics Pacific at 808-293-7077.
Hawaii Golf Online © 2009
