Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Tuesday, April 6, 1999

Acia-Hayashi tandem
takes four-ball title

Rodney Acia and Kevin Hayashi successfully defended their title with a one-stroke victory in the Big Island Candies Scotch Four-Ball Tournament at the Hapuna Golf Course yesterday.

They shot an alternate-ball 78 yesterday for a 36-hole total of 143 in the Aloha Section PGA-sanctioned event.

In second place were Cliff Council and Kirk Nelson, whose final-round 75 gave them a 144.

Tied for third at 145 were Joe Root-Dennis Rose and Charles Rogosheske-Steve Hookano.

Arena team signs Noga

Former Hawaii football star Al Noga was signed yesterday by the New England Sea Wolves of the Arena Football League.

Noga, an offensive and defensive lineman in the indoor league, played on the defensive lines of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins for several years after earning All-America and All-WAC honors with the Rainbows.

Celebrity football game

There will be a media celebrity flag football game -- "Rock-n-Jock '99--before the Honolulu Hammerheads' pro indoor football opener April 17 at Blaisdell Arena, with proceeds to benefit the American Lung Association of Hawaii.

A TV team will tackle a radio team at 5 p.m. The PIFL game will follow at 7.

The World Cafe, a sponsor of the celeb game, will hold a party at 8 p.m. on April 16, with part of the $5 cover charge also going to the lung foundation.

Tickets for the Hammerheads' opener are $12 for adults $8 for students and children.

They can be purchased at the Blaisdell box office or by calling 591-2211.

Watamull tennis angel

Tennis once again will be an athletic option for students at Leeward Community College, thanks to the generosity of Honolulu businessman Gulab Watamull, an avid tennis player.

The college courts had become nearly unplayable. Students raised $35,000 for renovating the courts but it wasn't enough and the money was set aside.

Watamull learned of the dilemma from friends associated with the Leeward CC faculty and urged them to seek matching funds from the Watamull Foundation.

A proposal was prepared, the matching funds were approved and work is to start on the courts this spring, with the project scheduled for completion in early summer.