Hawaii247.com | Hawaii 24/7

Reports compiled by Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor

After three spectacular and record-setting rounds, Mauna Lani Resort PGA Touring Pro and local boy Dean Wilson let the Canadian Open title slip away Sunday at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

Carl Pettersson, of Sweden, won his fourth PGA Tour title a day after shooting a tournament record 60. He followed that up Sunday with a 67, finishing one stroke ahead of playing partner Wilson with a 14 under 266.

Pettersson started the day seven strokes behind Wilson, who had a four stroke lead over the entire field, but wound up with a 2-over 72 to finish second at 13-under 267.

Wilson admitted he was disappointed that Pettersson wrestled control away on the back nine, but was still pleased with his runner-up finish.

Pettersson earned $918,000, while the Castle High School grad pocketed $550,000.

Luke Donald (66) was third at 12 under.

Athough he was the only top 15 player to shoot over-par Sunday, his top 10 finish means Wilson has qualified for this week’s The Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia.

— Find out more:
www.pgatour.com
www.maunalani.com

Reports compiled by Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor

After Saturday play, Mauna Lani Resort PGA Touring Pro and local boy Dean Wilson is sitting four strokes in the lead at the Canadian Open at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

Wilson shot his third straight 5-under 65, leaping to a four-stroke lead over Carl Pettersson, Tim Clark and Bob Estes.

Wilson, who won his only PGA Tour title at the 2006 International, equaled Arnold Palmer’s score of 195 for the tournament 54-hole record. Palmer set the record in 1955.

Early in the day, Pettersson shot a 10-under 60 to set a new tournament record. The Swede barely missed a 59, after his long putt on the 18th hole just edged wide.

The previous tournament record of 62 set by Leonard Thompson in 1981 at Glen Abbey. That score has been matched five times since then.

Estes shot 66 and Clark shot 69 to join Pettersson at 11 under.

— Find out more:
www.pgatour.com

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After Friday play, Mauna Lani Resort PGA Touring Pro and local boy Dean Wilson shares the second-round lead at the Canadian Open at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

Dean Wilson

Wilson scored his second straight 65 to match South Africa’s Tim Clark closing the day with a spectacular 20-foot par putt on the par-four 18th after missing the fairway.

They are tied at 10-under-par 130.

Wilson got going with a birdie on the first. He gave that stroke back with a bogey at the fourth. The 40-year-old made up for that error with a birdie on the par-three sixth.

After the turn, Wilson moved to seven-under with a birdie at the 10th. Wilson birdied 13 and 15 to move to nine-under. He was the first in the clubhouse at 10-under as he birdied the 17th.

The tournament runs through Sunday and Wilson will need to go low to gain victory.

Mauna Lani Resort, home of the Francis II Brown North & South Courses, is proud to support Wilson, who was born and raised in Hawaii. He is a veteran of the PGA Tour with 25 top 10 finishes including his win in 2006 at The International in Colorado.

The championship Francis II Brown North & South Courses have been a recipient of a Gold Medal Award from Golf Magazine every year since the inception of the award in 1988. Golf Magazine has also rated the courses in its Top Ten Green list for 2008 – 2009. Mauna Lani Resort played host to the nationally televised Senior Skins Game golf tournament from 1990 – 2000.

For tee time reservations and for information call 885-6655. The Francis II Brown North & South Courses are suitable for novice and professional golfers alike.

— Find out more:
www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r032/
www.maunalani.com

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Results from the USGA Girls Junior Amateur sectional qualifier held Tuesday (June 22) at Makaha Resort & Golf Club.

Cyd Okino (Honolulu), Kacie Komoto (Honolulu), and Marissa Chow (Honolulu) all advance to the National Championship at The Country Club of North Carolina (July 19-24th).

Eimi Koga (Honolulu) and Alina Ching (Honolulu) finished as the 1st and 2nd alternates respectively.

Twenty-four girls played the 6200 yard course (white tees) in sunny & warm conditions throughout.

Finish	NAME    	FR	BK	1st RD
1st	Cyd Okino	34	37	71
2nd	Kacie Komoto	36	38	74
3rd	Marissa Chow	36	38	74

1st Alt	Eimi Koga	39	36	75
2nd Alt	Alina Ching	37	39	76

	Alexandra White	38	38	76
	Ciera Min	38	39	77
	Michelle Condry	37	40	77
	Mariel Galdiano	39	38	77
	Cassy Isagawa	38	40	78
	Alice Kim	38	40	78
	Nani Yanagi	39	39	78
	Kalea Heu	40	39	79
	Margaret Min	40	40	80
	Kristen Sawada	39	42	81
	Monica Keo	42	40	82
	Marissa Suehiro	40	42	82
	Shannon Abarra	38	46	84
	Brittany Fan	41	43	84
	Lisa Kang	41	43	84
	Sydney Maluenda	38	49	87
	Alanis Sakuma	46	48	94

MEDIA RELEASE

The County of Hawai‘i, Big Island Candies, Rodney Acia PGA, and Big Island Junior Golf Association are co-sponsoring the 2nd Annual Golf Clinic and Long Drive Demonstration by stars Tony and Gipper Finau of Golf Channel’s The Big Break Disney Golf on Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course.

The brothers from Utah have played in PGA events and are renowned for their long-hitting prowess. Tony Finau is said to be the longest hitting player among PGA tour players, having hit drives of more than 400 yards. Also appearing at the clinic will be the Finau brothers’ father, Gary Finau, who has guided his sons’ careers.

The Finau brothers, who recently were featured on Golf Channel’s The Big Break Disney Golf also invites the public to follow as they play the front 9 of our Hilo Municipal Golf Course.

“We are so pleased that the Finau family will be returning to Hilo”, said Jodie Kimura, president of the Big Island Junior Golf Association. “Thanks to Allan Ikawa of Big Island Candies who has been a tremendous supporter of junior golf and this program.”

The free, public golf clinic starts at 2 p.m. at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course driving range where the Finau brothers will conduct a swing clinic and long-drive demonstration. Gary Finau will conduct a clinic for parents on providing the proper amount of support for their junior golfers.

At approximately 3:00 p.m., the Finau brothers will move to the first tee of the municipal course to play nine holes. The public is invited to follow along and interact with the players on the course.

“We’re really looking forward to a lot of fun and valuable instruction from these outstanding young players and we hope everyone will take advantage of this unique opportunity to watch them play,” Kimura said.

For information about the clinic, call 937-9536.

MEDIA RELEASE

Readers of Conde Nast Traveler have named seven Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to their 2010 list of Top 80 Golf Resorts in the World in the magazine’s June 2010 issue.

Of the Top 10 Foreign Golf Resorts, four are Fairmont properties – including three in western Canada, led by the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, which placed fourth overall in the category.

The luxury AAA Four Diamond Resort located on the Kohala Coast, scored an impressive 87.8 out of 100 and ranked 7 out of the top 15 Hawaii Golf Resorts. The resort provides a beautiful and challenging course for pros and amateurs alike and is adjacent to the award-winning Francis H Ii Brown Golf Course.

The property was praised for its Golf Staff & Services along with its Food, Dining and Location.

The results for the 2010 Golf Poll are derived from Conde Nast Traveler’s 2009 Readers’ Choice survey, a questionnaire that polls Conde Nast Traveler readers. Tabulation of the survey’s 25,008 responses was done by Mediamark Research, Inc., of New York City.

Golf resorts were rated excellent, very good, good, fair or poor across seven criteria: Course Design & Access, Golf Staff & Service, Rooms, Service, Food/Dining, Location and Overall Design.

The Fairmont Kea Lani, in Maui, Hawaii, scored an impressive 90.1 out of a possible 100 points, leading the way for the Fairmont brand. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, in the heart of Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, scored 87.5. Other standouts included The Fairmont Banff Springs (86.5) and The Fairmont Jasper Park (84.1) both located in Alberta, Canada, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (82.6) and The Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda (79.4).

Fairmont Golf operates under the umbrella of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, a global luxury hospitality leader. The company’s distinctive collection of golf properties includes historic icons, breathtaking destinations, and elegant accommodations.

For more information, visit www.fairmontgolf.com

click on flyer for full size

MEDIA RELEASE

Community welcome to Hamakua Youth Center fundraiser Saturday, June 5th

HONOKA’A—The entire Big Island community is invited to “Invest in our Youth: A Day of Golf & Celebration,” Saturday, June 5, 2010 at the Hamakua Country Club. Hosted by the Hamakua Youth Foundation, the festivities benefit Hamakua Youth Center (HYC), North Hawaii’s only free, drop-in after school center for 7-12th grade kids.

The “Day” begins with a golf tournament at Hamakua Country Club at 7:30 a.m. Slots are still available at $50 per player including prizes and lunch. But, everyone is invited to join the fun after the tourney at 1:00 p.m., when the free “Celebration” kicks off, with special presentations by HYC youth, live music, great food and silent auction.

“We have some wonderful auction items, thanks to our generous supporters,” said Foundation President Joel Cohen of Waimea, a 5-year HYC volunteer. “This is a great opportunity to have some fun, jump in the game and bid on something special for you or a friend. We are going to auction off Sunday Brunch at The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, getaways to Waianuhea or Waipi’o Wayside B & B, dinner at Merriman’s, Kahilu Theatre tickets, massages and more things coming in all the time. It’s fun to bid, it’s for a really worthwhile cause, and who knows—you might win a real ‘steal.’”

The Hamakua Youth Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit organization which oversees HYC, committed to providing a safe and engaging place for youth. HYC offers a warm welcome, communal kitchen, study space, computers, a pool table and other games, as well as a comfortable social environment and a community garden. All HYC activities are free for kids, including Hawaiian cultural programs, piano and ‘ukulele lessons, and an exciting new multi-media studio to nurture young talent and develop skills in video and CD production The HYC also provides referrals to other services and assists in many unseen ways, the needs of youth and their families.

The Foundation receives financial support for HYC from the Hawaii Island United Way, Hawaii County and private foundations, and food from the Hawaii Island Food Bank, island ranchers and farmers. However, their good work depends heavily on community support in order to maintain the operating costs for its full scope of services and programs.

Local businesses are encouraged to field a team for golf, or donate an item or gift certificate to the Silent Auction. 100% of all proceeds go directly to funding Hamakua Youth Center programs. Golf signups and donations for silent auction gratefully accepted at Barbara Franklin’s Office: 45-3488 Mamane Street (by the red wood bridge), or fax entry forms to 775-1040. To sign up or for more information, call HYC, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at 775-0976.

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A final day 297 propelled the University of Hawaii at Hilo into an 11th place tie after the final round of the NCAA Division II Men’s Central/West Region on The Classic Club/Troon Golf Course in Palm Desert, Calif.

Sonoma State’s 1-under-par 863 out-paced the closest competitor by 17 strokes to take the team crown. They were followed by Western New Mexico (880), Cal State Stanislaus (881), Chico State (886), Cal State Monterey Bay (887), Colorado-Colorado Springs (890), Grand Canyon and Western Washington (893), Cal State San Bernardino (898), Colorado Christian (901), St. Cloud State and UH Hilo (908), Colorado School of Mines (912), Colorado State-Pueblo (915), Dixie State (921), Fort Lewis (922), Concordia-St. Paul (929), Bemidji State (314), Minnesota State-Mankato and St. Martin’s (943).

Ryan Felix was tied for 27th place at 7-over-par, 223 (75-75-73). Tied for 34th place was Neil Cabico one stroke back (77-74-73). Tied for 62nd place was Logan Goulding at 15-over-par 231 (77-78-76). Isaac Jaffurs was tied for 83rd place at 21-over-par 237. Chris Armanini completed the Vulcan squad and finished in a tie for 101st place at 28-over-par 244 (88-81-75).

Sonoma State’s Janssen Todd won the tournament with a 2-under-par 214 (72-72-70). Three players were tied in second place at even-par 216.

MEDIA RELEASE

The University of Hawaii at Hilo remains in a tie for 14th place after the second round of the NCAA Division II Men’s Central/West Region Championship at the Classic/Troon Golf Club in Palm Desert, CA.

Ryan Felix is tied for 32nd place to lead the Vulcans with a 6-over-par 150(75-75). Neil Cabico is tied for 36th place a stroke back at 151 (77-74). Tied in 68th place at 11-over-par 155 are Isaac Jaffurs (79-76) and Logan Goulding (77-78). Chris Armanini is in 105th place at 25-over-par 169 (88-81).

Chico State has the two round lead with a 1-over-par 577. They are followed by Sonoma State (579), Western New Mexico (582), Cal State Monterey Bay (592), Cal State Stanislaus and Western Washington (594), Dixie State and Grand Canyon (601), Colorado School of Mines (604), Cal State San Bernardino (606), St. Cloud State and Colorado Christian (607), Fort Lewis and UH Hilo (611), Colorado State- Pueblo (615), Concordia-St. Paul (619), Minnesota State Mankato (623), Bemidji State (625) and St. Martin’s (627).

Chico State’s Brandon Harkins (71-69) and Western New Mexico’s Gordon Webb (69-71) are tied for medalist honors at 4-under-par 140. Third place belongs to Chico State’s Kyle Souza at 3-under-par 141 (72-69).

MEDIA RELEASE

The University of Hawaii at Hilo is tied for 14th place after the first round of the NCAA Division II Men’s Central/West Regional at The Classic Club/Troon Golf in Palm Desert, CA.

The Vulcans are 17-strokes behind tournament leader Western Washington who turned in a 291. In second place is Chico State (292) followed by Western New Mexico (293), Sonoma State (294), Dixie State (295), Cal State Monterey Bay (299), Cal State Stanislaus (300), St. Cloud State (301), Colorado-Colorado Springs and Cal State San Bernardino (303), Grand Canyon and Colorado Christian (304), Minnesota State-Mankato (305), Colorado School of Mines and UHH (308), Colorado State-Pueblo (309), Concordia-St. Paul (310, Fort Lewis (314), Bemidji State (315) and St. Martin’s (318).

Ryan Felix leads the Vulcans with a 3-over-par 75 and is tied for 27th place. He carded birdies on a pair of par 3s but bogeyed the par-four 5th and 10th hole and the par-3 6th hole. He recorded a double-bogey 6 on the 15th hole.

Logan Goulding and Neil Cabico are tied in 57th place with 5-over-par 77s. Isaac Jaffurs carded a 7-over-par 79 (T78) while Chris Armanini struggled with a 16-over-par 88 (T104).

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Dayna Bersamin

Dayna Bersamin has won the Sonoma State Women’s Spring Invitational at Fountaingrove Golf & Country Club in Santa Rosa, Calif.

The freshman from Wailuku, Hawaii turned in the day’s lowest score to win the tournament by three strokes. She paired her first round 76 with today’s 2-over-par 74 for a 6-over-par 150.

In second place were Sonoma State’s Brittany Carrera and Cal State Monterey Bay’s Courtney Soekland at 9-over-par 153.

Bersamin’s round helped the Vulcans finish in fourth place with a 709. Also playing for the Vulcans were Randi Ono (T11, 81-83=164), Nicole Aoki (18th, 87-85=172) and Jodie Borchert (31st, 114-109=223).

Sonoma State claimed team honors at 637. Western Texas Community College followed at 652 followed by Academy of Art (657), UHH (709), Cal State East Bay (768) and Domincan (928).