Kitt and Rodriguez capture title in Hualalai playoff

Nanea Golf Club’s Kris Kitt and Juan Rodriguez won a playoff Monday to capture the E-Z-GO Facilities Team Championship at the Keolu and Hualalai courses at Hualalai Resort.

Kitt and Rodriguez opened with a 68 Sunday and shot 66 in the final round. The Hilo municipal team of Rodney Acia and Kevin Hayashi caught them with rounds of 69-65, but fell on the second playoff hole.

Mauna Kea/Hapuna’s Josh Silliman and Jay Taise took third, one shot back, after shooting 63 on Monday — the low round of the tournament.

There were 43 teams in the field.

Maui pro gets book published

Maui pro Claude Brousseau has published his first book, “Realize Your Golfing Potential, Unlock the Secrets of a PROficient Short Game!”

The book is available at mauischoolofgolf.com.

Brousseau teaches at the Maui School of Golf at Kahili Golf Course.

ALOHA SECTION PGA GOLF TIP

John Hearn

PGA

SOLID CONTACT

One of the most important things to understand in hitting a golf ball off the ground is that you cannot do very well trying to lift or swing up through the golf ball. Your job as a golfer is to swing your clubhead level or slightly down through the ball. If you do this, you will allow solid contact and the loft of the clubhead will get the ball up in the air. This is the same for your sand wedge all the way through your 3-wood.

A simple way to find out if you are doing well is to notice where your practice swings are touching the ground. First of all, your practice swings should be touching the ground, and second, they should be touching at or in front of the golf ball. If you are not touching the ground or hitting the ground before the ball you are probably trying to lift the ball too much. Notice the timing of your swing when you are doing well with your practice swing and brushing in the right place. Take this same action to the golf ball and enjoy.

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Hearn is an Assistant Golf Professional at Oahu Country Club