In The Wood
THE Hui O Hackers -- a great name for a golf club in Hawaii -- was founded by ex-jocks in 1972. They were: Frank Paz, who came up with the club idea, Frank Steinmiller, Tim Smythe, Dick Massengale, Bill Maguire, Ted Souza, Harry Hanchett and Larry Price. I was invited to be an original but couldn't because of my work sked. Dias pays his dues
with Hui O HackersHacker members at one time or another include: Alex McLain, Orby Groves, Hank McKeague, Stan Atkins, Jim Steinmiller, Allen Napoleon, Tom Hugo, Sonny Beamer, Larry Mosher, Sandy Gomes, Roy Kruse, Jim Dilliner, Cornbread Halemau and Willie Loo.
The Hacker match play champ is Kenny Dias. He won the title by defeating Paul Denis 2-up at Olomana earlier this year. It's a wonder that Kenny, a 20-year Marine vet, can still walk. He has had two knee replacements. He wore them out in sports such as football, basketball and track at Roosevelt High (Class of '49), in junior college and in the Marines.
What's more, during the main Hacker two-day tournament four years ago at Hawaii Kai, Kenny and Hanchett, a retired fire captain, were in the cart together."I got out to hit the ball in front of the cart," Kenny said. "Harry accidentally stepped on the power peddle and hit me behind the knees and knocked me to the ground. He wanted to brake but hit the power peddle again and ran over me." This took place early on the front nine.
Kenny not only got right up, he went on to win the tourney. Those Marines are tough. Kenny and his wife, Carol, have been sweethearts since the ninth grade and have been married for 48 years.
Carol said: "This retired Marine captain has been in two wars (Korea and Vietnam). Being run over by a golf cart was nothing."
Kenny was a volunteer during the Korean War and received a battlefield commission to captain in Vietnam.
Harry is a former Iolani athlete and is a key member of the Hackers. He flies over from Molokai with loads of fresh seafood that he catches for club parties.
Driving on
Sport Court is sponsoring a putting contest with a $100,000 prize at the Bon Ami, Konishiki French Festival golf tournament next Sunday at the Ko Olina course.
Not only is 100 grand up for grabs, but three Mercedes Benz cars will be awarded to golfers firing holes-in-one.
Another big prize is four nights at the Paris Marriott Hotel.
The tournament is a benefit for the Konishiki Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization that sponsors a cultural exchange program to Japan for Hawaii youngsters. Corporate sponsorships are still available. Single entry fee is $250 per golfer, $95 is tax deductible. Call Nancy Maeda, 680-7680, for entry info.
Ben Wood, who played his first round of golf at Ala Wai
50 years ago, vows to learn how to play the game well even if
it takes another 50 years. E-mail him at bwood@starbulletin.com.