Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Monday, June 9, 1997

McClean defends title

WAILEA, Maui -- Kapalua Golf Club pro Dick McClean saved his best for last, carding a sizzling 3-under-par 69 yesterday en route to successfully defending his Maui Open golf tournament title.

It was the fifth Maui title for McClean, who finished with a 213 on the Wailea Gold Course. Four strokes back at 217 was Lance Suzuki.

Ron Castillo Jr. tied McClean's tournament low round of 69 to share third place in the pro-championship flight with Brendan Castillo Jr. at 220.

PEARL CITY WINS: Led by the pitching of Erin Sing Chow, Pearl City captured the State ASA Girls' fastpitch softball tournament for 12-year-olds with an 11-0 victory over Ho'okahi of Mililani Saturday.

Sing Chow tossed a three-hitter and struck out seven in a game called after six innings.

In the tournament, Sing Chow won all four games for Pearl City. She also was 6-for-11 at the plate with two homers and eight RBIs.

DRAG RACING: For the first time in its 33-year-old history, Hawaii Raceway Park is opening for mid-week racing beginning Wednesday.

A new summer racing series directed at younger drivers and fans will be held on Kukini Boulevard, the newly named quarter-mile drag strip at the track. Races are scheduled from 6 p.m. to midnight every Wednesday for the next 12 weeks.

Tutors and information kits for first-time racers of street-legal cars and bikes are at the gate until 8 p.m. Admission is $5 for drivers and spectators.