Off the Fringe
I don't know what it takes to run a first-class golf tournament, but you have to tip your hat to the people behind this week's Rainbow Open at the Mililani Golf Club. Not only did they continue a long-time tradition by deciding to hold it for the 29th time, they put it together on such short notice. Rainbow Open is alive
and well, thank you"We didn't know until late March that we were going to have one," said Ron Kiaaina, director of golf at the Mililani Golf Club.
"When I found out (we were going to host the Rainbow Open) it was like a ton of weight off my shoulders."
You can thank Bert Kobayashi and his group for keeping the tradition alive.
Kobayashi, a local developer, purchased the Mililani Golf Club, the Kiahuna Golf Club in Poipu, Kauai, and the Pukalani Country Club on Maui from the Sports Shinko Group of Japan for $12.4 million.
When the deal was completed on Jan. 25, there was no question that the Kobayashi Group was going to keep the tournament going.
"When someone asked about the Rainbow Open, I said, 'Yeah, we're going to continue it,' " said Wayne Tanigawa, the chief financial officer for the Kobayashi Group. "I'm not a golfer, but through the efforts of the staff (at the Mililani Golf Club), we were able to put it together."
It is the group's first venture into sports -- specifically, being a major sponsor for a golf tournament.
"You can call them the unsung heroes," said Kiaaina.
"It was important that the event continue for the purpose of the charitable organizations," he added.
"Who wins?
"Charities win," added Kiaaina, who is also the director of golf at Kiahuna and Pukulani. "That's the main purpose."
The list of charitable organizations includes the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Golf Team Hawaii, Shriners Hospital for Children, Kuakini Geriatric Care, Hospice Hawaii, Inc., Kapa Moi Lions Club, Mililani High School Scholarship Foundation, Mililani Middle School, Soroptomist International (Central Oahu) and Mililani Junior Golf Association.
"Bert Kobayashi has always been a supporter of local charities," Tanigawa said.
"Fortunately for us, most of the people that was working before (the change of ownership) are on board and they did most of the work," he added.
"So we hope to continue the tradition of the Rainbow Open."
Correction: Apologies to Miki Saito, general manager at the Mililani Golf Club. This year's Rainbow Open begins Thursday with a charity pro-am tournament. The first of three rounds is Friday with the final set for Sunday. Because of incorrect information provided, it was reported in last Sunday's Golf Hawaii that the tournament dates were July 13-16.
McLachlin won't defend title: Parker McLachlin won't be in Hawaii to defend his Rainbow Open title. The son of Chris and Beth McLachlin will be graduating from UCLA on Friday.
Star-Bulletin assistant sports editor Randy Cadiente is a once-a-week hacker who carries a 15-handicap. He can be reached at 529-4785 or: rcadiente@starbulletin.com