Hawaii Beat Star-Bulletin staff

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Okada, Kimura advance in national challenge

The team of Alvin Okada and Paul Kimura birdied the 17th hole yesterday to win the ESPN National Golf Challenge local qualifier at Pearl Country Club.

Okada and Kimura qualified for the Hawaii regional finals at Turtle Bay Resort, Aug. 27. Regional qualifiers win a rip to play in the national finals in Las Vegas, Nov. 13-14, which will be televised on ESPN2.

Okada and Kimura finished at 5-under 67 in the amateur, two-person, best-ball tournament. They were one shot ahead of Brendon Chun and Wade Nakamura. Thomas Crockett and Carter Allen placed third at even-par 72.

Larry Arinaga and Kevin Miyama won the net division at 10-under 62 and also advanced to the regional finals. Mark Sperling and Joe Hartzman were three shots back at 65, followed by Sam Bagchi and Rafael Torres at 66.

Golf tourneys give to North Shore charities

Twenty-one North Shore charities will receive $100,000 today from three groups, including two golf tournaments.

The Friends of Hawaii Charities, the Champions Tour Turtle Bay Championship and the LPGA SBS Open golf tournaments will distribute the funds.

"We are pleased to support these community service agencies with project funding and contributing to the specific needs of dedicated non-profit service organizations in our state," said Anthony R. Guerrero Jr., president of Friends of Hawaii Charities.