Golf contest to raise
funds for Kalihi schools
The Kalihi Education Coalition is sponsoring a hole-in-one golf contest with a $1 million prize to raise money for public schools in the district.
The odds of shooting a hole-in-one may be long, roughly 1-in-31,000, according to the U.S. Golf Registry, but the $5 entry fee is a bargain, said Roger Higa, president of the nonprofit coalition.
"We want to provide value for those who are participating in the tournament," he said. "We feel there's going to be volumes of golfers in Hawaii who will want to donate $5 or more."
The Passion for Perfection: 2003 Hawaii State Hole-in-One Championship will be held Sept. 20 on a 165-yard green specially built for the tournament at the Hawaii Prince Golf Club in Ewa.
Golfers must have shot a hole-in-one at a course in Hawaii by Aug. 31 to participate in the contest, which is open to amateur golfers who are U.S. citizens or Hawaii residents. Between 200 and 250 holes-in-one are hit on Hawaii golf courses every year, Higa said.
There are three ways to qualify:
>> Anyone who hits a hole-in-one on a course in Hawaii between July 25 and 31 automatically qualifies, with no donation.The $1 million prize will be paid through an insurance policy taken out on golfers who qualify for the final round. A putting contest will also be held with a $25,000 purse.>> Anyone who enters the contest with a $5 donation and makes a hole-in-one any day in August also qualifies.
>> Anyone who ever made a hole-in-one in Hawaii, and can prove it, may participate for a $100 donation.
Proceeds from entry fees will go to schools in the Farrington complex, which include Farrington High School and its feeder elementary and intermediate schools. Farrington Principal Catherine Payne said funds raised would likely go toward after-school tutorials and other enrichment programs for students.
The Kalihi Education Coalition was formed last year by business people, educators and community leaders to support Kalihi-Palama's public schools. Entry forms and more information will be available by the end of this month at its Web site, www.kechawaii.org.