John Oda, Tyler Munetake, Ariel Elftman-Hanson, Zoey Akagi-Bustin and Kaci Masuda earned a place in the 2014 Acura of Honolulu Pro-Junior Skills Challenge. Their places in the Sony Open in Hawaii exhibition were finalized at last weekend’s Michelle Wie HSJGA Tournament of Champions.
The five golfers will team with PGA Tour pros in a skills challenge Jan. 7 at Waialae Country Club.
Elftman-Hanson, from Wailuku, and Masuda, from Honolulu, won the oldest age divisions at the TOC, held for the 11th year at Wailea Resort. Other winners were Isaiah Kanno and Minny Byun (7-10), Taylor John McGerity and Allysha Mae Mateo (11-12), and Shon Katahira and Alanis Sakuma (13-14).
In the first round, Ji Hae Lee made the fifth hole-in-one of her young career, acing the 16th hole.
Wie was on Maui for the tournament. Her online crowd funding campaign has raised more than $9,000 for the HSJGA and will continue until the end of the month. Wie has donated collectibles, and sponsors Nike Golf and Kia have also provided "perks" to inspire donations. Wie also kicked in $10,000 of her own money.
To participate, visit HSJGA.org to be directed to the official Michelle Wie HSJGA TOC fundraising campaign, or contact Lauren Yama at 532-0559. The campaign is updated regularly.
Fans can vote to pair golfers at Hyundai event
For the first time, golf fans will have a say in picking a pairing for the 2014 Hyundai Tournament of Champions, which starts the PGA Tour’s year Jan. 3-6 at Kapalua’s Plantation Course.
Through Dec. 30, fans can vote on PGATour.com’s Social Hub to determine who will be paired with defending champion Dustin Johnson. Choices are 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott, 2012 FedExCup champ Brandt Snedeker and six-time winner Matt Kuchar.
Results will be released Jan. 1. Fans can track results on the Social Hub.
"We’re excited to be the first tournament on the PGA Tour with this type of fan involvement and can’t wait to see it come to life at the tournament next month," said Hyundai vice president of marketing Steve Shannon.
The tournament’s elite field is made up of 2013 tour winners, with 33 players eligible. Among those who have committed, along with Johnson, Scott, Snedeker and Kuchar, are Zach Johnson and Webb Simpson, who tied for third last January.
All four rounds will be broadcast on the Golf Channel. For tickets and tournament information, visit PGATour.com/Hyundai.
11 junior girls receive travel money from HSWGF
Eleven junior girls received $8,600 this year from the Hawaii State Women’s Golf Foundation. Funds are designated as travel stipends for mainland U.S. Golf Association events.
Allisen Corpuz, Mariel Galdiano, Rose Huang, Aiko Leong and Aneka Seumanutafa received $1,200 each for multiple trips. Lisa Judge and Kristina Merkle got $500 apiece, and Ciera Min, Brittany Fan, Kristin Le and Keilyn Ing $400 each. They traveled to the U.S. Women’s Open, Women’s Amateur, State Women’s Team, Women’s Public Links and Junior Girls.
