Denise Lindsey, Special Olympics - it's going on year round!!!!

 Kelly Fliear Tournament Manager Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai talks story about the 28th year of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai at the Four Seasons Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii. January 18, 19, 20 forty two PGA TOUR Champions Player  who earned a spot in the the 54 hole stroke play tournament will play for a  $2,000,000 purse. Steve Stricker defends. The Big Island community has received million dollars plus for charities from this event.

I met Chris Ruzzin 5 years ago at the first PGA TOUR Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club. when he was trying to cross some TV cables in his wheelchair. After giving him a hand we had a conversation about how couple places had been very difficult for him to get around and spectate at the tournament, I said I bet they would find it helpful if you reached out and gave them some suggestions. 

There is no doubt in my mind he was already thinking that.  And he did follow up ... and over the last few years they have added ADA throughout the golf course.

The picture of Chris is at the ADA platform at the 18th green at Detroit Golf Club.  I think it is cool how it has evolved. The more I get to know Chris I see he is a get it done advocate.  




 

I called Susy Ruddle this morning spur of moment and taped an informal conversation which I am turning into a Emily T Gail Talk Story episode. I wanted to get an update on the HIHS  and also have chance to mention how helpful Dr. Beth was to me when my cat Pono Boy was diagnosed as diabetic and I had no clue what to do. What I interesting and encouraging conversation we had about what the new HIHS facility in Kona. I've been there. It's fantastic and Susy does shares what they have been able to do for pet owners and those who want to spend a day with a pet or foster. It's a good conversation. Hope you listen.  That is Susy's husband Francis Ruddle with her in the picture. I have known Francis and Susy for years and whenever I see them I am reminded how blessed I am that I have been on the Big Island of Hawaii for so many years. 35+ years.  

Also coming up Saturday July 1 is the  Hawaii Island Humane Society Putts for Paws Golf Tournament at Mauna Lani Golf North Course..  Help raise funds for the HIHS and enjoy the award banquet at the beautiful Fairmont Orchid, complete with a gourmet lunch. and even meet some adoptable dogs on the golf course. HIHS gets no government funding. All grants and private donations. 

   Susy Ruddle and friends and CEO of HIHS Lauren Nickerson want you to  know it is a 4-person scramble format so that means that everyone can have fun .... regardless of your skill level.. And it is the purrfect opportunity to combine your love of the game and your love of animals. 

To contribute a prize for the players or be a sponsor email Lauren@hihs.org.

hihs.org to register or donate for the tournament at Mauna Lani.

Jim DeMello, Coach of the  University of Hawaii - Hilo Vulcans Women's Golf Team  talks with Emily T Gail from Hapuna Golf Course at Mauna Kea Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii where the Division II Dennis Rose invitational with 16 teams was taking place. Jim talked about his history with University of Hawaii-Hilo Men's Golf Team for many years. He had the opportunity to coach the women's team when they received some title IX monies. He has been successful  recruiting players  from the Hilo area which is given local players an opportunity to get college scholarships and pursue their golf experiences. Teams from all over the country enjoy playing in the Dennis Rose invitational because the Vulcans are the hosts and their hospitality is well known. The men's team played their 2 day 36 hole Stroke Play event at Waikoloa Beach Resort. Cal State San Marcos won the Women' Division with Point Luma coming in second.

I met Caroline Wales when she played in the Dennis Rose Invitational for Division II players at Hapuna Golf Course, Mauna Kea Resort. She runs along side her push/pull remote golf bag cart when she plays....  interesting how it all evolved for her to add running to her on course routine.

Emily T Gail with Kelly Fliear, Tournament Manager PGA TOUR Champions Mitsubishi  Electric Championship at Hualalai  Thursday, January 19-Sunday January 21 . Kelly gives an update of the season opening event here on the  Big Island of Hawaii at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai for the PGA TOUR Champions MEC. 42 players are eligible for the 3 day tournament with a 2 million dollar purse. Miquel Angel Jimenez defends. Can buy tickets at the gate $25 daily, $45 week. 16 years and under complimentary when accompanied with adult as retired military and active are as well.   

Some of the beneficiaries of monies raised are the Rotary Club of Kona who from year one has organized the volunteers and in turn funds go into the Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation.   Also the Daniel Sayre Foundation who have raised so much money and procured equipment and training for our County of Hawaii Fire and Rescue Team. MEC sponsors the Big Island Junior Golf which has provided a local active organization to prepare junior golfers for the many opportunities with the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association where so many find college scholarship opportunities. Added this year is the Pua Ka 'Ilima 'O Kawaihae Cultural Surf Park Inc dedicated to develop and protect the area of 1.4 acres of coastline at the Kawaihae Breakwater.
The  PGA TOUR raises more money for non profits and charities than all the major league sports organization who also raise lots of monies.

Emily talks with the Westminster College  Women's Golf Team Salt Lake City at the Dennis Rose Invitational at Hapuna Golf Course. 
It was the Dennis Rose Invitational for Division II colleges hosted by University of Hawaii-Hilo Men's Golf Team and Waikoloa Beach Resort. The men played at Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf and the Women at Hapuna Golf Course at Mauna Kea Beach Resort.  I've covered the Dennis Rose Invitational over the years.  When I  met Nat Sponenburgh at Mauna Lani Golf where he had just finished playing and I was headed to the putting green  he told me about his daughter playing on the Westminster Team in Salt Lake City and  I decided I should get up to Hapuna and watch the women play. It was very impressive and lot of fun to spend time with Nate and the Westminster College Denise Larson and some of the players. 

It was the Dennis Rose Invitational for Division I colleges hosted by University of Hawaii-Hilo Men's Golf Team and Waikoloa Beach Resort. The men played at Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf and the Women at Hapuna Golf Course at Mauna Kea Beach Resort.  I've covered the Dennis Rose Invitational over the years.  When I  met Nat Sponenburgh at Mauna Lani Golf where he had just finished playing and I was headed the putting green he told me that his daughter Kyra would playing  up at Hapuna Golf Course on the Westminster Team from Salt Lake City  I decided I should get up to Hapuna and watch the women play. Was great fun and great golf. Fun to ride around on the cart with their Coach Denise Larson and get a chance to meet the players, watch them play and talk story after the round. This was day 2.

Sean Maekawa, Professional Golfer and  Assistant Men’s Golf Coach University of Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans is a guest on Emily T Gail Talk Story. Professional golfer Sean Maekawa, who grew up in Paauilo, Big Island of Hawaii started to play golf in 1999 at the 9 hole Honokaa Golf Course where he received some encouragement from Alan Texeira. Alan, RIP  who lived in Honokaa and was a PGA Professional with Waikoloa Beach Golf  and that lead Sean to join the Waikoloa Junior Golf Program. He shares how being involved with the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association and Waikoloa Junior Golf where he met PGA Professional Ross Birch. Ross continued to coach Sean  helped him win the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Individual golf titles from 2004-2007 while playing for the Honokaa High School team and the Hawaii High School State Championship in his senior year.. I met Sean through Ross  when they were guests on my Emily T Gail Talks Golf Show on espnhawaii.com. It was Sean's first time on the radio. I have enjoyed remaining friends with Sean and his parents and being a long time supporter in spirit of his golf journey.

With such stellar high school golf play in Hawaii, Sean earned a golf scholarship to the University of Oregon and played for the Division I Oregon Ducks under PGA Professional Casey Martin. He was a member of the Oregon Ducks Men’s Golf Team in the Annual Amer-Ari Division I Invitational Tournaments at Waikoloa Beach Resort that has a reputation as one of the best Division I tournaments in the country for the quality of players and the hospitality shared by Coach Earl and his coaches and the Vulcan golf booster club and Waikoloa Beach Resort. The Oregon Ducks team  had some very strong finishes including winning the NCAA in Sean’s  junior year.

 After college Sean turned professional and played on the Gateway Tour and other mini tours. He wanted to explore coaching which led to an opportunity to be a volunteer coach with his former college coach Casey Martin for the Oregon Ducks. Sean says he “discovered he enjoyed coaching at college level having been a college player. He wanted to share with others what he has learned being on both sides of the ball”. That led him back to the Big Island where he could be Asst. Professional at Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf under PGA Professional Kevin Ginoza. Kevin had played for the Division II Pac West University of Hawaii-Hilo Vulcan Golf team and has been an Assistant Coach with his former coach Earl Tamiya  along with Troy Tamiya and Sean joined them as well as Assistant Coach. He is grateful to be back home with the opportunity to be a Asst. Golf Coach while raising a family with his wife Ashley. They have two young children Kamden and Aliah. Sean credits the encouragement he has received from mentors, his parents Schoen and Monica and his sister Elisye as he pursued golf as what kept him motivated to follow his dream of a golf career. 
 
 Waikoloa Beach Resort recently were hosts for their Annual Division II Dennis Rose Invitational Tournament with top NCAA Division II men’s and women’s golf teams.   Dennis Rose, also a mentor for Sean was long time Director  of Golf at Waikoloa and president at Waikoloa who passed away at the age of 59 in 2007 after a two year battle with cancer. The men played at Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf and the women played at Hapuna Golf Course. at Mauna Kea Resort. Sean talks about the Dennis Rose Invitational and Vulcan team experiences this year who are ranked in the top 50 Division II teams in the country. That is their best ranking ever and they will be the only Division II team in the The Amer-Ari coming up in February  Past winners and participants of the Amer-Ari have included Tiger Woods, Notah Begay, Matt Kucher, Jordan Spieth, Matthew Wolf and many others who have gone on to careers on the PGA TOUR. The Division II Vulcan’s Men’s team and Coach Earl and Asst Coaches Kevin, Troy and Sean and the team are focused on holding their own.  Scott Head, VP Operations Waikoloa Beach Resort is sure they will also be great hosts and add to their reputation as one of the most prestigious and fun Division I Invitational Tournaments in the country. 

Mahalo for listening. Emily T Gail 808 896-6780 emilytgail@emilys.org

I well into one of my long phone conversations with my brother Max. Always thoughtful talk story. We were talking about our personal archives of what we have documented or created  and asked if there was one of his poems/songs he would like more people to hear what one would it be. I was pretty I knew which one. 

I asked him to recite it and said I was going to record. here it is ...