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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Professional Lance Suzuki has won the Mid-Pac Open a record eight times.

Suzuki tops field for
Mid-Pac Open

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Star-Bulletin staff

Eight-time winner Lance Suzuki tops the field for this week's Mid-Pac Open at the Mid-Pacific Country Club.

Suzuki, who last won the title in 1993, will be joined in the 54-hole tournament by defending champion Larry Stubblefield and former Mid-Pac Open winners Beau Yokomoto (2000), Casey Nakama ('96) and Brandan Kop ('95), to name a few.

Other top professionals scheduled to compete are Kevin Hayashi, Ron Castillo Jr., Shane Hoshino and Brian Sasada.

Leading the amateur field is Joe Phengsavath, the 2002 Hawaii State Stroke Play champion.

Competition begins Friday morning at 7.

Sunday's final round also starts at 7 a.m., with the leaders set to tee off at around 9:30.

Jennie K. Invitational set for May at Mid-Pac

The Mid-Pacific Country Club will also be the site for the 52nd Jennie K. Wilson Women's Invitational.

Michelle Wie, who captured the prestigious trophy last year at the age of 11, will return to defend her title in the three-day tournament, which begins May 17.

For more information, contact publicity chairwoman Kathy Ordway at 262-2428.

Palos gets a promotion at Waikoloa Beach Resort

John Palos has been promoted to chief superintendent of golf at the Waikoloa Beach Resort.

Palos, who has more than 11 years of golf maintenance experience at Waikoloa, will be responsible for managing all maintenance aspects for the resort's Beach and Kings' Courses.

"Our two finely groomed championship golf courses reflect his efforts and dedication," said Waikoloa Beach Resort Director of Golf Dave Pritchett, on Palos.

Grand Slam of Golf field includes Masters winner

The winner of the Masters will be the first to qualify for the PGAGrand Slam of Golf at the Poipu Bay Golf Course, set for Nov. 26 and 27, on Kauai.

He will be joined in the four-player field by the winners of the U.S. Open, British Open and PGAChampionship.

Defending Masters champion Tiger Woods won last year's competition over David Duval, David Toms and Retief Goosen.

Tickets for this year's 36-hole event are available by calling 1-800-PGA-TCKT (742-8258), or via the internet at www.PGA.com.