University of Hawaii-Hilo starts its quest for a slot in the NCAA Division II regionals by hosting one of the country’s most prestigious collegiate tournaments next week at Waikoloa Kings’ Course.

The 20-team Hilo Invitational includes 12 teams from the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings Top 50, and seven of the top-10 individuals. This is the 22nd year of the tournament.

Top-ranked UCLA will be on the Big Island, along with second-ranked Oklahoma State, fifth-ranked Georgia Tech, seventh-ranked Texas and 11th-ranked Stanford. The Vulcans and UH-Manoa will also be joined by Texas Tech (No. 21), Washington (24), USC (32) and Florida State (34).

Peter Uihlein, the U.S. Amateur champ and top-ranked player in the country, will be here with Oklahoma State, along with teammate Kevin Tway, who is ranked fifth. Third-ranked Andrew Yun plays for Stanford and fourth-ranked Patrick Cantlay for UCLA.

The Vulcans rest their postseason hopes on a roster made up of six freshmen and seniors Neil Cabico, from Lanai, and Chris Armanini, from Wailuku. UHH coach Earl Tamiya described the season so far as "a roller coaster" and calls Cabico his best player.

The tournament opens with a college-am Tuesday. The 54-hole tournament is next Wednesday through Friday.

Lanai program set

Hotel Lanai’s second annual "Girlfriends’ Golf Getaway" is next month. The program is part of Insight Golf Schools and is a personalized school for women that provides on-course instruction. Teachers are LPGA top-50 instructors Beverly Fergusson and Sheri Hayes. The school will be Feb. 18-21, with a Short Game School, Feb. 24-27. Both offer three days of instruction for a maximum of eight students. For information, visit insightgolfschools.com

Notes

» Sunday’s Emily T. Gail Show will look back at last week’s Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai and include interviews with Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw and winner John Cook. The show begins at 6 p.m. on 850-AM in Hilo and 790-AM in Kona.

» The Ehime-Hawaii Golf Tournament, April 8 at Mililani, will raise money to help pay for the Kaikamahine Girls fastpitch 14-under team to travel to Ehime, Japan, in July. The team will participate in a cultural exchange with families at the inaugural Ehime-Hawaii Goodwill Girls Fastpitch Softball Exchange. For information, call 234-1073 or e-mail ehimehawaiisoftball@gmail.com.