Sports Watch

By Bill Kwon

Friday, July 16, 1999

GOLF WATCH

Carnoustie could be
getting Daly complaints

IMAGINE if John Daly were playing in the British Open this week. If he complained about how unfair Pinehurst No. 2 played in the U.S. Open, what would he have said about the playing conditions at Carnoustie?

Judging by the scores -- one-third of the field couldn't even break 80 -- the Scottish course proved as tough as everyone predicted before play began yesterday.

Par was 75 or 76, according to Tiger Woods, who still is my pick to win this week.

"It's unbelievable," said Ernie Els. "Almost impossible," added Vijay Singh.

"It'll be unfair if the wind blows," Ian Woosnam said.

Unfair. Isn't that exactly how Daly describe Pinehurst No. 2?

Daly, who admitted his own game wasn't ready for Carnoustie, might enjoy the last laugh yet as he watches his peers struggle this weekend.

I remember going to Carnoustie after playing at St. Andrew's. It was a typical Scottish day -- cold, wet and windy. Didn't play Carnoustie, though. Thought it wasn't prudent. Not with my golf game.

After looking at the opening hole, I went in the clubhouse and ordered a shot of single malt Scotch to get warm.

A WOMAN'S PLACE:

Someone who's not enamored of having a woman competing in the Manoa Cup is Bob Tom, former president of the Hawaii Junior Golf Association and a Hawaii State Golf Association official.

"There isn't a person who promoted women's golf more than I did," Tom said. "But I don't think Anna Umemura should have tried to qualify for the Manoa Cup."

Umemura became the first female to try and qualify for Hawaii's oldest golf tournament at the Oahu Country Club. But she missed making the 64-person match play field.

A junior this fall at the University of Tennessee, Umemura is thinking about trying again next year.

"There are many tournaments for women here and on the mainland. I respect her, but it would only create a lot of controversy if she ever played in the Manoa Cup," Tom said.

"I think she should respect the men's tournaments, especially the Manoa Cup. You don't see a man trying to play in the Jennie K. What's to prevent that, if she plays in the Manoa Cup?"

Tom points out that he was the first to incorporate a women's flight in a local tournament -- the Makalena Open -- and also in the Tournament of Champions.

He was also instrumental in helping to get the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship at the Ala Wai in 1983 and, along with University of Hawaii's Donnis Thompson, led the way for Hawaii to host the AIAW national tournament.

SENIOR DEBUT:

He didn't make the cut, but playing in the U.S. Senior Open in West Des Moines, Iowa, last weekend was a big thrill, according to Tommy Ukauka.

"It was quite an operation. First class all the way," said Ukauka, who had a brand-new Cadillac waiting for him and his family at the airport.

Ukauka, the director of golf at Bayview Golf Park, turned 50 in April and decided to try and qualify for the tournament at Hickam. His son, Mike, caddied for him at the U.S. Senior Open as well.

"I definitely need to work to get a few more yards off the tee," said Ukauka, who shot rounds of 83 and 76.

Two other golfers from Hawaii -- Steve Veriato and Dick McClean -- made the cut, earning $12,485 and $6,208, respectively.