Lotte Championship returns to Ko Olina

Hawaii’s Michelle Wie, defending champion Suzann Pettersen, top-ranked Inbee Park and teenager Lydia Ko are expected to play in next month’s LPGA Lotte Championship at Ko Olina Golf Club.

Pettersen outlasted Lizette Salas in last year’s Lotte. Salas caught Pettersen with a scorching 62 on the final day, but hit her approach shot into the water on the first playoff hole to fall to Pettersen’s par.

Pettersen collected $255,000 and a trophy in the shape of the Lotte World Tower, now under construction in Seoul. The skyscraper is 123 floors and will be the world’s third-tallest building when it is completed next year.

Park has second- and fourth-place finishes this year in two starts. She has been No. 1 in the Rolex World Rankings the past 49 weeks. Pettersen is No. 2 this week. Ko is No. 4, behind American Stacy Lewis.

Wie has worked her way up to No. 46 going into today’s JTBC Founders Cup. She was No. 82 a year ago.

The third annual Lotte Championship is April 16-19, ending on a Saturday. The full-field event follows the Kraft Nabisco Championship the LPGA’s first major of the year.

Tournament week includes a qualifier April 13, practice rounds and a clinic April 14 and the Pro-Am April 15. Natalie Gulbis will lead the Monday afternoon clinic, designed for women, kids and families.

Admission is free Sunday-Tuesday and $10 daily for tournament rounds. Tickets will be available at the main gate tournament week. Season badges are $25 and good for admission all week. Children 16 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Ai Miyazato won the inaugural Lotte Championship in 2012. This is the final year of the original agreement with Lotte, a retail and entertainment conglomerate in Korea and Japan. J Golf, the LPGA television rights-holder in Korea, is presenting sponsor.

All four rounds are tentatively scheduled to be broadcast in prime time on the East Coast on the Golf Channel (12:30-4:30 p.m. Hawaii time).

Applications available for 64th Jennie K.

Applications are available for the 64th annual Jennie K. Wilson Invitational. The first Hawaii women’s golf major of the year is May 16-18 at Mid-Pacific Country Club.

Amateurs age 16 and older, with a handicap index of 20.1 or less (effective May 1) are eligible. Girls younger than 16 must have an index of 4.0 or less to compete in the championship flight.

Applications are available at mpcchi.org or can be picked up at the Mid-Pac Golf Shop. For more information, contact Kathy Ordway (kathyordway@me.com).

Japan’s Hinako Yamauchi won last year’s Jennie K. This year’s tournament benefits Hale Ola Windward Spouse Abuse Shelter and the Hawaii State Women’s Golf Foundation.

UH Wahine host tourney at Kapalua

Hawaii hosts its second women’s college golf tournament of the month when the Anuenue Spring Break Classic tees off Monday at Kapalua’s Bay Course.

The Rainbow Wahine will be joined by 14 schools on Maui. The three-day tournament starts at 7:45 each morning.

UCLA won last year’s tournament. Pepperdine’s Grace Na was medalist. The 15th-ranked Waves, with Na and Hawaii’s Alina Ching and Marissa Chow, are back. Fifth-ranked Washington, with Hawaii’s Cyd Okino and Eimi Koga, will also be on Maui along with Big West schools Cal Poly, UC Riverside, UC Davis and Long Beach State.

Shoji’s tournament benefits Wahine volleyball

Dave Shoji’s 15th annual golf tournament will be May 8 at Kaneohe Klipper. The event benefits Shoji’s Rainbow Wahine volleyball team, raising funds to support summer tuition and transportation for spring competition.

Format is two best balls of a three-person team. Cost is $200 per player. A $1,000 donation is good for a team and tee sign recognition. A $500 donation is good for one player and recognition.

For more information, call Shoji (956-4533) or Scott Wong (956-2506).

LOCAL ACES