After a five-year absence, one of Hawaii’s most popular amateur events is returning.
The Mayor’s Cup will be revived next month, in a collaborative effort of the Hawaii State Golf Association and mayor’s office.
The Mayor’s Cup will be Sept. 17 and 18 at Ala Wai Golf Course. It will again be a 36-hole stroke-play format with five flights — championship, A, B, C and senior (55 and older). The top two flights play from blue tees, while the other three tee off on the white. The tournament banquet will be Sept. 19 at Dave & Busters.
The 26th and last Mayor’s Cup was in 2005. It might have been the most memorable. With a field of 232, the championship flight finished in the dark, the headlights of three cars and a cart shining on the 18th green. Norman Inouye, Shannon Tanoue and Troy Higashima shared the title because a playoff was not possible in the dark or the next day, on the world’s busiest golf course.
After one of its best finishes, the popular tournament was canceled the next year. The Mayors’ Challenge Cup was started in 2007, with 12-person teams from different islands, but it did not catch on.
Golfers at this year’s tournament collect points to qualify for the Governor’s Cup and the Sony Open qualifier.
The entry deadline is Sept. 9 and the fee is $125. The field is limited to 200.
Applications are available at hawaiistategolf.org or 808golf.com.
Cyr wins Maui Open
Professional Sam Cyr won the $4,000 first prize Sunday in the final round of the Maui Open at the Dunes at Mauna Lani.
Cyr, a two-time NAIA national champion from Makawao, fired a 4-under 68 to beat amateur Sean Maekawa by four shots. Cyr finished the 36-hole event with a score of 5-under 139. Maekawa closed with a 70, the next-best score Sunday.
Ryan Acosta (71—147) was alone in third. Amateurs Royden Heirakuji (71) and Spencer Shishido (74), and pro Brian Sasada (72) tied for fourth at 148.
Former Maui resident and Aloha Section PGA Player of the Year Dick McClean won the seniors flight (50 and older). McClean closed with a 76 for a 149 total that was a shot better than Kirk Nelson. Dean Prince won super seniors (60 and older) at 76—145.
Allan Souza (67—140) won the amateurs’ A Flight.
Ting wins Maui Women’s Invitational
Desiree Ting won the 57th annual Maui Women’s Invitational for the sixth time Sunday at Kaanapali Resort. Ting shot 1-under 69 in the final round at Kaanapali Kai for a 146 total. The first round was played at the par-71 Royal Kaanapali Course.
Ting was three shots better than Bobbi Kokx (73—149), who won low gross honors for the championship flight, and four ahead of Bev Kim (75—150), who captured low net honors with a two-day total of 135.
Jeannine Carr, who played in the B flight, won overall low net honors at 69-61—130.
Winners for the A flight were Tammy Watanabe (170, low gross) and Yindi Fowler (141, low net), with Cindy Catugal (177) and Michele Heick (136) taking B flight honors and Laurel Shelton (184) and Sharen Sylva (141) winning in C flight.
Ho, Uchida in U.S. Senior Championship
Honolulu’s Carl Ho and Marshall Uchida shot their way into the U.S. Senior Championship Monday. Ho fired a 77 at Waialae Country Club and Uchida got the final spot with a 78. The alternates are George Obana and Steve Wilhite, who both shot 79.
The national championship will be Sept. 10-15 at Kinloch Golf Club in Manakin-Sabot, Va.
The qualifier had 23 participants, from Hawaii, California and Australia.
Notes
» The 33rd HSWGA Senior Women’s Championship will be Sept. 26 at Hawaii Kai. It begins with a shotgun start at noon. It is open to women 50 and older belonging to HSWGA member clubs. Contact Kathy Ordway (262-2428 or kathyordway@me.com) or visit hswga.net for information.
» The First Tee of Hawaii’s fifth anniversary golf tournament, to be played Aug. 24 at Turtle Bay, has sponsors for military personnel, active duty, national guard and reservists to participate in the tournament at no cost.
Contact Ken Zitz at kwz711@hawaii.rr.com or 478-3466 or to register.
» The 61st Korean Invitational is Sept. 10-11 at Pali Golf Course. The entry deadline is Aug. 31 and the entry fee $125. For more information, call Duke Chung (748-5601), Kerry Ahn (846-3395) or Wayne Yoshimura (779-1020).
