Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Thursday, May 20, 1999

Seven isle surf pros
in the running

Hawaii's Sunny Garcia, Shane Dorian, Conan Hayes and Ross Williams advanced through men's elimination heats yesterday to Round 3 of the ASP World Tour's Japan Pro surfing meet at Torami Beach in Chiba, Japan.

They join first-round winners John Shimooka and Kalani Robb in the Hawaii contingent of pros still in the title chase.

In women's first-round action, Hawaii's Megan Abubo placed second to Australia's Prue Jeffries in their heat and both moved on to Round 3. But Rochelle Ballard of Hawaii finished third in the same heat and then was eliminated by Jaqueline Silva of Brazil in Round 2.

Seniors bowl 300 games

Ari Sato, soon to be 70, bowled a 300 game in Hui Na Alii league play at Leeward Bowl Tuesday - one week after 72-year-old Terry Tamanaha rolled a 300 perfect game in the same seniors league.

Wolfe to Portland State

George Wolfe, associate head coach of the Hawaii women's basketball team, confirmed yesterday that he is leaving the Wahine to become head coach at Portland State.

Wolfe, 45, has been Vince Goo's right-hand man since Goo became the UH head coach in 1987 and has been the program's chief recruiter.

At Portland State, he'll succeed Jenny Yopp, who has taken the head coaching job at Illinois State.

Sony Open sponsorships

Sponsorship packages for the second annual Sony Open in Hawaii golf tournament are now being offered to Hawaii's private and corporate sectors.

Platinum, Gold and Silver sponsors will receive one or more Pro-Am playing entries in their packages, which are priced the same as the 1999 event.

The Sony Open also is offering Corporate Skybox sponsorships. Companies and individuals will be able to entertain guests and clients while watching the action on the 18th hole or on the Jumbotron, world's largest video screen.

Among the amenities included in all sponsorships are complimentary badges, tickets and preferred parking plus multiple entries in the "Million Dollar Shot" competition.

For more information, call tournament headquarters, 523-7888.

Hammerheads-Thunder

The Hawaii Hammerheads will take on the Rocky Mountain Thunder in an Indoor Professional Football League game at 2 p.m. Sunday at Blaisdell Arena.

Tickets are available at the Blaisdell box office.

Inoue in Super Brawl

Hawaii's Egan Inoue will tangle with undefeated Marcelo Tiger of Brazil in the main event of Super Brawl XII on June 1 at Blaisdell Arena.

Inoue is a former world racquetball champion who now excels in martial arts and combat sports. Tiger has a 32-0 no-holds-barred record.

Assistant pros tee it up

Henry Sieradzki of Kaneohe Klipper will defend his title in the Zevo Aloha Section PGA Assistant Professional Championship golf tournament Sunday and Monday at the Makena North Course on Maui.

The winner will represent Hawaii in the event's national championship Oct. 28-31 at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Youngsters on track

Fifth- and sixth-graders from eight Oahu elementary schools will compete in a track and field meet tomorrow from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Pearl City High School.

The schools are Palisades, Waiau, Kanoelani, Pearl City, Momilani, Lehua, Pearl City Highlands and Manana.

Poipu golf shop cited

The golf shop at the Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course on Kauai has been chosen for the third time as one of "America's 100 Best Golf Shops" by Golf Shop Magazine.