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Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Saturday, January 20, 2001

Hilo’s Hayashi
wins first Pro Tour
Hawaii event

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Star-Bulletin staff

WAIMEA, Hawaii -- Despite 25-mile-an-hour gusts, Hilo Municipal golf professional Kevin Hayashi finished two shots ahead of California State Open champion Richard Barcelo to win the first Pro Tour Hawaii event at the Waimea Country Club yesterday.

Hayashi, 35, who set the Waimea course-record by shooting a 63 in the first round Tuesday, closed with a 70 to finish at 20-under-par, collecting $18,000.

"I'm so happy that I can't feel anything," Hayashi said.

The reigning Hawaii State Open and Pearl Open champion began the final round with a three-shot lead, but lost it when Barcelo shot five birdies on the front nine.

"I got the good start I wanted," said Barcelo, 25. "I guess I got too aggressive on the back-nine."

Hayashi regained the lead with a 60-foot putt on the par-3 13th for birdie.

Barcelo's shot in the bush and a two-putt resulted in a bogey on the same hole.

"I got lucky," Hayashi said. "Sometimes you hit a really good putt and it doesn't go in. I hit a really good putt there, and it went in."

Other players with local ties in the 55-player field included Honolulu resident Kevin Carll, who finished at 4-under.

Vikings fire von Appen

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Former University of Hawaii head football coach Fred von Appen was fired as the defensive line coach of the Minnesota Vikings yesterday.

No replacement was named.

Vikings head coach Dennis Green announced several other changes to his defensive staff. Linebackers coach John Fontes was also fired, while defensive backs coach Richard Solomon will shift to inside linebackers in place of Trent Walters, who was reassigned to defensive assistant.

Four added to Pro Bowl

Miami linebacker Zach Thomas and Oakland offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy were among four players added to the NFL's Pro Bowl rosters yesterday.

Thomas and Kennedy were added to the AFC team, and linebackers Brian Urlacher of Chicago and Mark Fields of New Orleans were placed on the NFC roster for the Feb. 4 game in Honolulu.

Kennedy replaces Jacksonville tackle Tony Boselli, who will miss the game because of ankle surgery. Thomas was selected the "need" player by AFC coach Jon Gruden. The "need" player is selected from among the first alternates at defensive end and linebacker.

Urlacher, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, replaces Detroit linebacker Stephen Boyd, who will miss the game because of a herniated disc. Fields is the NFC's "need" player.

Hoops on club docket

Hawaii men's basketball coach Riley Wallace, Iolani boys' basketball coach Mark Migiishi and Mililani boys' basketball coach Mike Coito will speak at Monday's Quarterback Club meeting.

The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Pagoda Restaurant in Honolulu. The program begins at noon. The general public is invited.

Two divers in top five

Hawaii divers Michael Gowdy and Jon Coyle placed in the top five in the men's one-meter springboard event at the UCLA Bruin Diving Invitational yesterday. Gowdy placed first in the event with a season-high score of 350.55. Coyle finished third.

Surf meet begins

Local surfers won 19 of 22 heats as the HPAC Sunset Beach Open was able to begin, thanks to 8- to 10-foot waves.

Hawaii's Jason Bogle scored a perfect-10 tube ride.

For more information, logon to www.surfinglive.com.

Linemen needed

The Hawaiian Warrior semi-pro football team is looking for offensive and defensive linemen to play in a game against the Free Agent Combine all-star team.

The game, dubbed Volcano Bowl II, will be played Feb. 3. Call 676-4714 for more information.