The 92nd Big Island Amateur Golf Championship will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Mauna Lani’s Francis H. I’i Brown North Course. ADVERTISING The 92nd Big Island Amateur Golf Championship will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Mauna
The 92nd Big Island Amateur Golf Championship will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Mauna Lani’s Francis H. I’i Brown North Course.
The event has been continuously held since 1924. Mauna Lani has hosted the event since 2005.
Last year’s champion Shon Katahira will be back to defend his crown. Other past champions in the field include: Jeff Strang (2011, 2002), Dalen Yamauchi (2010), Greg Molfino (2009), Doug Oki (2003, 2001).
“I think what is the most fun is that if you look at the names, a lot of them were very competitive in high school and in college,” Mauna Lani Director of Golf Tom Sursely said. “When they come back to compete in the tournament there is a lot of pride, even though some of them only have time to play once a month now. When they play in the tournament, they all usually have one very good round.
“The island has very strong golfers. Even if they don’t play much anymore, many of them can still play very well.”
The tournament will feature three different flights: Championship, A Flight and Senior. The most interesting pairing of the day tees off first, with defending champion Katahira and Yamauchi, a two-time All-PacWest first team selection at UH-Hilo.
The duo, along with Dick Gillette, head out at 9:40 a.m.
Emily Gail contributed to this report
