Short Hops | March 17

Flag football in Kohala

Flag football in Kohala

Registration for boys and girls ages 5-15 in Kohala for flag football will be April 13 and April 15 from 4-5 p.m at Hisaoka Gym.

Practices will start the first week of May. Registration is free and includes uniform.

For more information contact Kim at 895-1939.

Brantley Center golf tournament

The 37th annual Brantley Center golf tournament be held at the Big Island Country Club on April 26th. Check-in is at 7:15 a.m. Shotgun start will be at 8 a.m.

Format will be two-person best ball modified. Entry fee is $125 and includes: green fee, cart, prizes and luncheon. Hole in one $10,000 will also be held.

For more information call Roland at 987-7712, or contact the Brantley Center at 775-7245 or bcenter2@hawaiiantel.net.

Golf For Kids tournament

The Golf For Kids Golf Tournament, presented by Hawaii Island Young Life, will be April 24th at the Big Island Country Club. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and Shotgun starts isat 7:30 a.m.

Format is a two-person scramble. Entry fee is $95 and includes: green fee, cart fee, snacks, prizes and awards luncheon. Young Life is a non-profit youth outreach program. For more information call Lane at 896-0622, Angel at 969-9074.

First Tee program starting up at BICC and Makalei

The First Tee Hawaii program will start a new session on March 28 at the Big Island Country Club and Makalei Hawaii on April 12.

At Big Island Country Club egistration begins at 2:30 p.m at the driving range. At Makalei, registration begins at 2 p.m. at the clubhouse.

Program is one hour and classes start at 3 p.m. Registration fee for the session is $25 per child. Ages are 7-18 years old.

First Tee teaches about the game, including rules, skills and life values on and off the course.

For more information email Peggy at peggyciriako@gmail.com or call 937-2380 for more information.

Special Olympics Torch Run

First Hawaiian Bank and Hawaii Police Department are partnering to sponsor the 30th annual Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run/Walk on April 11th. It is a benefit for Special Olympics West Hawaii.

The Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run is a noncompetitive run/walk, and the purpose is to raise awareness and funds for the athletes of Special Olympics Hawaii. The event is named after fallen Honolulu Police Officer Troy Barboza, who volunteered as a Special Olympics coach and participated in the first Torch Run in Hawaii held in 1985.

The event begins at 8:30 a.m. on April 11th at First Hawaiian Bank in Kailua-Kona.

Donations of $30 are requested and donors will receive a 2015 commemorative Torch Run shirt. Sizes and styles are limited. Interested participants should call Sharon Yong at 756-2186 for entry form, or email sowhdenise@gmail.com.

Kona Sailing Club Teen Sailing

Teens interested in small boat sailing are invited to join in March events hosted by Kona Sailing Club. Teen Sailing Days will be March 20 and 26.

Sailing will be on boats 12-21 feet. US Sailing certified instructors will lead the sailing activies. Participants will start from the Kona Sailing Club at Honokohau Harbor at 10 a.m. and finish at 3 p.m. Fee for KSC members $15. The guest/visitor fee is $20.

For more information email bisf@earthlink.net or call 325-5529.

Kai Opua regatta season practice schedules

Regatta season practice has started for Kai Opua keiki. Girls practices are on Mondays and Wednesdays, boys practices are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Paddling practice starts at 4 p.m. Dues for 18-and-under paddlers is $10.

Novice women paddling practice are held Mondays 4:30 p.m. A meeting for all Kai Opua women will be held at 5:30 p.m. on March 30 at the KOCC halau at Kona Old Airport Park. Open and age division women will start practice at 5:30 p.m. April 1. Women’s practices are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Kai Opua’s men practice is on Tuesday and Thursdays. Novice B and 60+ division men start at 4:30 p.m., all others at 5:30 p.m. The 50-plus division men have started practice. A meeting for all men will be at the KOCC halau on March 24 at 5 p.m. All men’s divisions will have paddling practice at the Kailua Pier commencing on March 26.

For more information about Kai Opua Canoe Club, go to kaiopua.org.

Fishing tourney benefits Honokohau

The Hawaii Fishing and Boating Association will host a fishing tournament fundraiser March 21 to support Honokohau Harbor and improvements. Cost is $100.

The tournament will run from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Registration, rules and entry forms available the Charter Desk at Honokohou Harbor, which can be reached by phone at 329-5735.

Kai Opua Businessmen’s Regatta and Dog Paddle

The Kai Opua 16th annual Businessmen’s Regatta is April 19. Participants are invited to join the fun for a day on the water and show their company’s team spirit.

Divisions include: Hospitality, Service, Professional, Government, Retail/Business, Kupuna and Experienced/Open. Crews can be men, women or mixed. There will also be double-hull divisions as well awards for best costume.

Registration starts at 8 a.m., and racing begins at 9 a.m. Kai Opua will supply paddles and steersmen if desired. Bring your own paddles if possible.

Early registration is $110 per six-person crew. Race day registration is $120 entry fee per six-person crew. Double-hull entry fees are discounted if also entering six-person events. Entry fee includes a lunch and awards sponsored by Huggo’s and Corona.

New this year is the inaugural Dog Paddle. One dog, one human and one stand-up paddle board. Get your pup and paddle from the 1/4 mile flag to the finish at the pier. Awards for small, big and stuffed dog divisions. Registration at 8 a.m. Dog paddle is at 9 a.m. and it is a $15 entry. A portion of entry goes to the Hawaii Island Humane Society.

For early online registration, go to kaiopua.org/bizregatta.asp. For more information, call 938-8577.

Hawaii Cycling Club Kua Bay Training Time Trial

On March 21 at 8 a.m. the Hawaii Cycling Club will host the Kua Bay Training Time Trial. Three different distances will be offered:

• 24.5-mile course: Registration will be at turnoff to Kua Bay from 7:15-7:45 a.m. Start will be at the entrance to West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery at 8 a.m. and will finish at the Veterans Cemetery left turn sign on the Makai side of the highway.

• 12.2-mile course: Registration is at Bike Works Beach and Sports at the Queens Shops from 7:15-7:40 a.m. Start will be just South of Waikola Beach Road at 8 a.m. and will finish at the Veterans Cemetery left turn sign on the Makai side of the highway.

• 6-mile course: Registration is at scenic point parking lot from 7:15-7:45 a.m. Start will be at sign about 1/4-mile south of scenic point at 8 a.m. and will finish at the Veterans Cemetery left turn sign on the Makai side of the highway.

Either an annual membership or a one day membership is required to participate. The annual membership fee is $20. The one day fee is $5, if paid by March 18 but $10 thereafter.

Visit hawaiicyclingclub.com for more information and the membership form.

Hawaii Cycling Club Century ride

The Hawaii Cycling Club’s second annual Hawaii Century is taking place on April 12th starting and ending at Spencer Beach Park.

With three routes — 110 miles, 64 miles and 30 miles — the Century is an opportunity for novice and intermediate athletes as well as experienced cyclists to ride a different route or a longer distance.

Cyclists ride at their own pace: as individuals, with friends, in groups, in pace lines, etc. The Century rides are not timed.

All net proceeds are donated to the organizations charity partner, North Hawaii Hospice. The Century raised $2,498 in 2014.

Registration starts at 6 a.m. on race day. The 110-mile riders begin their Century Ride at 6:30 a.m. The Metric Century, 64-mile group, rolls out at 7:30 a.m. Cyclists riding the 30 mile route start at 8 a.m.

Aid Stations will be approximately every 20 miles and a lunch is provided at the end. Participants will receive a t-shirt to commemorate their participation.

Additional details including fees, maps and registration can be found at active.com (event name Hawaii Century; location Kawaihae). The fee is $50 until March 23, then $60 thereafter.

Visit hawaiicyclingclub.com for information on all of HCC’s events.

BIIF seeking water polo officials

The Big Island Interscholastic Federation is seeking water polo officials for the spring season.

For more information contact Kealakehe athletic director Alan Vogt at 313-3774, or Alan_Vogt/KEALAKEH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us.

Pueo Kupuna softball team golf tourney

The Pueo Kupuna softball team with host its sixth annual golf tournament fundraiser March 29 at Big Island Country Club.

The tee time is 8 a.m. and the play of the day is two-man scramble, modified best ball.

For more information contact Jan Pakele at 895-3535.

West Side Hawaii Little League opens registration

West Side Hawaii Little League has opened up registration for Minors (ages 9-10) Majors (11-12) and Juniors (13-14) for Kona and Waikoloa.

For more information, call Kristi at 960-8042 or email kgacayan@hawaii.rr.com.

Football combine set for March

The Hawaii Island Underclassmen Combine will be held March 21 at Waiakea High’s football field.

According to a release, the purpose of the event is to improve combine scores.

Registration is available at nucsports.com, and the fee is $40. Check-in is at 8 a.m. and the combine starts at 9 a.m.

For more information, contact Dave Cosier Jr. at 861-5507.

Kai Opua Canoe Club preseason events

If you’re interested in Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling, Kai Opua invites you to try it out at a preseason paddling event hosted at Kamakahonu Beach (next to Kailua Pier) on March 21 from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

All paddlers from kids, novice, competitive and recreational crews are welcome. Kai Opua will supply paddles. Please wear attire that can get wet.

Weekly golf results

Keauhou Kona Men’s Golf Club

March 14

Format: low net

A flight

1. Mike Robinson (72); 2. Jon Wamba (73); 3. Pete Callahan (73)

B flight

1. John Karwoski (65); 2. Bob Curier (66); 3. Bruce Gansneder (70)

Closest to the pin: Mike Robinson (5); Denny Carino (8); Duke Condon (13); John Karwoski (17)

BICC Members Golf Tournament

March 14

Format: 4-person team, 2 low nets

Blind draw: Darlene Peters

1. Frank Jung, Jim Stafford, Cindy Loo, Rick Dvorak (-23); 2. Don Wood, Nozomi Kishimoto, Dick Peters, Darlene Peters (-22); 3. Ron Ahlers, Fred Rickburg, Al Droscoski, Blind Draw (-21); 4. Al Akana, Shirley Akana, Mike McKay, Blind Draw (-20)

Low net: 1. Darlene Peters (67); 2. Rick Dvorak (69)

Closest to the pin: Cindy Loo (5); Al Akana (8); Ron Ahlers (13); Nozomi Kishimoto (17)

M&M Golf Club

March 13

Format: Throw out last two holes less 89-percent handicap

1. Janis Walker (62); 2. Linda Nauman (64); Ailota Nesheim (65)

Low puts: Janis Walker (31)

Na Wahine O Waikoloa Women’s Golf Club

March 12

Format: low gross, low net, low putt

A flight

Low gross: 1. Fletcher Olson (86); 2. Willie Ryan (101)

Low net: 1. Mary Desisto (74); Kay Bryant (79)

B flight

Low gross: Mary Vandamme (111); 2. Sandy Price (126)

Low net: 1. (tie) Dee Dee Kosa, Carole Abarcar (81)

Lowest putts: 1. Fletcher Olson (31); 2. Mary Desisto (33); 3. (tie) Sue Johanson, Carole Abarcar (35)

Chip ins: Mary Desisto (12, 15)

Birdies: Mary Desisto (12)

Closest to the pin: Sandy Price (3); Sue Johanson (6); Willie Ryan (12); Dee Dee Kosa (16)

ACE of the month-low net: Mary Desisto (74)

Have an event or results for Short Hops? Email J.R. De Groote at jdegroote@westhawaiitoday.com or sports@westhawaiitoday.com