Monte Ito, former Honolulu Advertiser sportswriter, died Tuesday at Kuakini Medical Center after a lengthy illness. He was 85.

Ito covered golf for the Advertiser, where he worked for 50 years until his retirement in 1994, as well as all of the local high school sports. He was named to the Aloha Section PGA Hawaii Golf Hall of Fame in 1990.

"Golf was a big part of his life, whether he was playing, watching or covering it," said his son, Henry.

"He helped me a lot when I started 27 years ago with the United Airlines Hawaiian Open," said Bill Bachran, public relations director for the PGA Tour event at the Waialae Country Club.

He recalled that the media room was named in honor of Ito.

"Monte was truly the link with golfers in Hawaii," said Bob Tom, former president of the Hawaii Junior Golf Association. "He was involved with all the golfers - juniors, amateurs and professionals."

David Ishii, winner of the 1990 Hawaiian Open who's now playing on the Japan PGA Tour, said he remembers Ito ever since he was playing in the junior golf program.

"He was always there and was always nice. He'd always send me a Christmas card and wish me luck for next year. He was just a very caring individual."

Funeral arrangements are pending, according to the family.