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Thursday, June 15, 2000

Rainbow Open
appears wide open

By Bill Kwon
Star-Bulletin

The Sports Shinko Rainbow Open, which starts tomorrow, should be a wide-open contest as Greg Meyer, who won the event in two of the last three years, isn't back to defend his title.

Meyer, who won by one stroke over amateur John Lundgren last year, is competing in Japan, as is 1998 winner Dean Wilson. But this year's field for the 54-hole event hosted by the Mililani Golf Club won't be lacking former champions.

Previous winners entered are five-time champion Lance Suzuki, Casey Nakama (1987), Philip Chun (1993), Chuck Davis (1992), Clyde Rego (1977) and Larry Stubblefield, who won as an amateur in 1975 and as a professional 10 years later.

Also Brandan Kop (1995), Jerry Mullen (1988) and Clayton Gomi (1996).

Other top pros include Brian Sasada, who won the Maui Open two weeks ago, Regan Lee, Henry Sieradzki, Deron Doi and 2000 Mid-Pacific Open champion Beau Yokomoto.

The top professional will win $5,000 and a trip for two and accommodations at the LaCosta Country Club & Resort in California.

Besides Lundgren, a Navy dentist who has been low amateur three years running, other top players in the championship field include former national publinx champion Guy Yamamoto, Manoa Cup finalist Norman-Ganin Asao, Kendall Fukumoto, Paul Kimura and Ryan Masuda, the state high school champion from Waiakea.

There will be a cut in the pro and championship flight after Saturday's second round.

Competition in the A- and B-flights, both scheduled for 36 holes, will start Saturday. The tournament ends Sunday.