Benjamin begins
job of creating
Islanders squad

New Hawaiian Islanders head coach Guy Benjamin is wasting no time in putting together a team for the inaugural season in arenafootball2.

We've already had an overwhelming response from prospective players and assistant coaches," Benjamin said. "Over the next few weeks, I'll be evaluating our options."

Benjamin will hold a player orientation on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Blaisdell Center. Tryouts are set for Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. at Central Oahu Regional Park and Oct. 27 at 9 a.m. at Maui High School.

The Islanders are the latest entry in the 37-team arenafootball2 (AF2) league that helps develop players for the Arena Football League.

After two seasons, some 50 AF2 players have gone on to the NFL, NFL Europe, AFL and CFL.

For more information, call 67-ARENA or log on to HawaiianIslanders.com.

Links to Literacy tees off at Ko Olina tomorrow

Eleven-year-old golf phenom Michelle Wie and more than 70 teams tee off tomorrow at Ko Olina Golf Club at the annual Marriott Links to Literacy Tournament, with a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m.

A post-tournament awards banquet and a live auction is slated for 6 p.m. at JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa.

The tournament is a benefit for the Hawaii Library Foundation.

Female athletes vie for fitness recognition

Hawaii's top female fitness athletes will compete for over $10,000 in cash and prizes at the Hawaiian Hurricanes Fitness Challenge on Saturday at Kapiolani Park. The event, consisting of an obstacle course and a physique contest, is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Men are invited to compete in a winner-take-all obstacle course race.

The event is free to the public. Proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information, call Chris Faildo at 224-7491.

Local pros among Senior event competitors

Several local players are among the 78 Senior PGA Tour pros scheduled to play at the Turtle Bay Championship next week.

Steve Veriato, who won his first tournament last month, Lance Suzuki, Hale Irwin and Dave Eichelberger will all play in the Oct. 1-7 event at the Turtle Bay Palmer Course.

Suzuki recently turned 50 and is playing under a Sponsor's Exemption.

The purse for the event is $1.5 million, with the winner receiving $225,000.

Monday through Thursday's auxiliary events are free, and the admission charge for the Friday through Sunday competition is $10 per day.

For more information, call 792-7600.

Wahine kick off season at the Dillingham GP

The Hawaii women's tennis team starts its season this weekend in the 49th Dillingham Grand Prix Tennis Championships at Punahou Schools.

The Wahine will compete individually in singles and doubles matches throughout the tournament.

The tournament includes men's and women's singles and doubles. Play begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and runs through the afternoon.

The tournament continues with late-round action Oct. 6-8.

Hawaii's Own

Mike Fetters, Pirates: The Iolani graduate did not pitch in Pittsburgh's 8-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

Chris Truby, Astros: The Damien alumnus went 0-for-1 in Houston's 5-1 loss to St. Louis.