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Sports Watch

By Bill Kwon

Friday, February 16, 2001

GOLF WATCH

Hawaii is the place to
be for golf connoisseurs

UPDATE In 2006, Pro Tour Hawaii's former chief financial officer Gregg V. Wood was convicted of defrauding the business and its owners Sandy and Tina Mohr. Wood was sentenced to federal prison but his conviction was overturned on appeal in 2007. —Honolulu Star-Advertiser For subsequent coverage of this case, see: » March '05: Scammed golfers have shot at par » June '06: Golf tour backer convicted of fraud » Oct. '06: Man gets 21 months for collapse of golf tour » Jan. '08: Hawaii fraud victims won't be repaid $62,675

THIS week's a delight for local golf fans. The leading LPGA players are at Kapolei, battling the wind sweeping across the Ewa plain.

Some of the top men's teams in college golf, including No. 1 player Bryce Molder of Georgia Tech, have teed it up at the Waikoloa Resort, where it was blowing even more fiercely yesterday with constant 30-40 mph winds gusting up to 50 mph.

And the state's best pros and amateurs began play today in the 54-hole Hilo Invitational.

Will two-time LPGA player of the year Karrie Webb, a seven-time winner last year, finally break through with her first victory of 2001 at Kapolei?

We'll know when the Cup Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Open finishes on Saturday again to accommodate Japan television.

Georgia Tech, ranked No. 2 behind rival Georgia, is the defending champion in the Taylor Made/Waikoloa Intercollegiate Tournament. Molder and Matt Kuchar, who played in the Sony Open last month, were co-medalists last year.

Greg Meyer, who finished one shot back of Hawaii Pearl Open winner Hidemichi Tanaka, is the defending champion in the Hilo Invitational.

SCAMMED:

Meyer was probably the pro who put it best about the Pro Tour Hawaii 2001 collapse when the prize money vanished:

"You always hear about scams, but I never thought I'd get scammed myself like this."

Meyer did get to cash a check for $6,800 when he finished second in the first tournament. But he didn't receive the $6,000 he earned in the next two tournaments. That and the $11,500 entry fee, he lost.

"I think the money is pretty much gone," Meyer said.

Casey Brown, who won at the Big Island Country Club, surely had to laugh at the ad in the latest Golf Week congratulating him for winning $18,000. Show him the money.

SHANE COMEBACK:

After taking a year off from golf because of burnout, Shane Hoshino is back playing again.

His appetite was whetted when he tied for low amateur in the Hawaii Pearl Open last week, according to Hoshino, who transferred from the University of Hawaii-Hilo to the Manoa campus, but is not playing for the Rainbow golf team.

"I feel rejuvenated," said Hoshino, who won the Manoa Cup in 1999. "I'm going to play everything -- Hilo, State Amateur, (Sports Shinko) Rainbow Open and the Manoa Cup."

HONORED BY HSWGA:

Congratulations to Helen Higa on being named to the Hawaii State Women's Golf Association honor roll. The honor is given annually to persons who have devoted time and service to promote women's and junior golf in Hawaii.

Higa has served on the HSWGA board as its rules chairwoman and has worked numerous Junior Golf Association tournaments and qualifying events. A member of the Oahu Country Club, she helps to coordinate the OCC Women's Invitational every year.

IN MEMORIAM:

Not only did University of Hawaii athletics, but golf lost an avid fan and strong supporter when Edwin Wong, president and CEO of Waterhouse Properties, died last Sunday. He was 71.

Ed and the late Alec Waterhouse were among the strongest backers of UH sports.

Wong was involved in the selection of June Jones as Hawaii's football coach and was president of the Na Koa football booster club, which he helped found. Wong also served on the Aloha Section PGA's advisory board. Condolences to his widow, Rie, who came to love the game of golf because of her husband.