Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Hawaii Beat
WAIKOLOA, Hawaii -- Joey Snyder III tied a course record with a 9-under 63 yesterday to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Waikoloa Village stop on the Pro Tour Hawaii schedule. Snyder ties record
in Pro TourStar-Bulletin staff
The 63 tied the Big Island golf club's course record set by Hilo's Kevin Hayashi in October during the Waikoloa Open. By coincidence, Snyder was paired with Hayashi during the first round, and missed a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that would have broken Hayashi's record.
Brad Benkey of Ventura, Calif., and Mark Henderson of Ontario, Canada, both shot 66s to share second place. Play continues through Friday's final round.
Hawaii's "First Lady of Golf" Jackie Pung served as honorary starter and greeted each of the 65 players competing in the four-round event. Pung, 80, a four-time Hawaiian Amateur champion and winner of the 1952 U.S. Amateur Championship, was the first Hawaii woman ever to play on the LPGA Tour.
Pro Tour Hawaii is a series of 10 $100,000 golf tournaments played throughout Hawaii between now and March 30. The first three events are on the Big Island.
Bryan twins tennis winners
Twins Mike and Bob Bryan of Camarillo, Calif., both won in yesterday's opening round of the second Hilton Waikoloa Village USTA Challenger at the Big Island resort. Unseeded Mike Bryan toppled second-seeded Andre Sa of Brazil, 7-6 (6), 6-4, and Bob Bryan won a pair of tie-breakers from Konstantinos Economidis of Greece, 7-4, 7-2.
Cup Noodles qualifying
The pre-qualifying tournament for local amateur women interested in playing in next month's LPGA Cup Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Open is scheduled for Feb. 9 at the Kapolei Golf Course.Players must have a USGA-sanctioned handicap of 4 or lower. The deadline to sign up is Feb. 5.