While four Professional Golfer’s Association champions prepared to play for a share of the $1 million purse at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Po’ipu Bay Golf Course today and Saturday, the Kaua’i Junior Golf Association got a big
While four Professional Golfer’s Association champions prepared to play for a share of the $1 million purse at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Po’ipu Bay Golf Course today and Saturday, the Kaua’i Junior Golf Association got a big check of their own — $15,000 – from the PGA of America.
M. G. Warren, PGA President, presented the check to the junior golfers at the driving range just before the Pro-Am tournament got underway.
But for the juniors, it was their chance to shine on an overcast day. It was based on their coming practice, and the amount of commitment they had, said Russell Furusho, a coach of the Kaua’i Junior Golf Association.
Four juniors were picked by their coaches to hit some balls in front of the professionals (and a gallery of 500 people), and they had the opportunity to take some tips from the major championship winners.
Most of the pros said they were impressed by the golfers’ swings.
“All four of these guys have pretty good swings,” said PGA Championship tour player and TNT analyst, Billy Kratzert.
Lefty golfer, Sean Ogawa, 14, wowed the crowd with a few iron shots, grabbing lefty Mike Weir’s club and sailing it straight into the driving range foreground.
“Your fundamentals are so good,” said Masters Champion, Mike Weir. “Great set-up, great grip.”
Byron Rualizo, 13, got to swing PGA Champion, Shaun Micheel’s famous seven-iron that won his first major on the 18th hole at the Oak Hills Country Club.
“You have a great swing. It’s nothing like coming off in front of 500 people hitting free swings,” said Micheel to Byron.
Micheel talked about the pressure of winning his first major, and hitting one of the biggest shots on the PGA tour this year.
“I had a lot of confidence going into that shot,” he said “I was sick and tired of letting my nerves get in the way.”
Ben Curtis, the British Open Champ told Micah Yoshioka, 14, to relax.
“Stay patient. Have confidence in your own game.”
Micah, sticking his tongue out, then drilled a shot with an iron.
“He’s got that Michael Jordan-thing going on,” said Curtis, adding that whatever worked was good.
“I try to make golf as simple as possible,” he said.
Jim Furyk, the U.S. Open Champ, had some specific advice for Kyle Furusho, 12, and the other golfers in the crowd.
“Kyle’s got a great natural ability. He’s got a nice natural swing,” said Furyk.
“Work on your pre-shot routine,” Furyk told the crowd. “Set-up is as important” as rest of the swing, he said.
Furyk demonstrated his technique, using a ruler between his feet.
“I keep my toes, knees, hips, parallel” to the ruler to line up the shot, he said. This keeps him from pushing his shots way out into the rough. It might be off-line, but keeping his body parallel keeps the ball in bounds.
Meanwhile, like the other amateurs, three high school and junior golfers, Kellen Watabu, Shelcie Takenouchi, and Brad Netzer, were hitting shots on the practice tees and practicing their putting.
The three got their chance to hit alongside the pros in the Pro-Am best-ball competition. While Shelcie and fellow lefty, Kellen, played six holes with Weir, Brad played six with Ben Curtis.
Staff writer Tom Finnegan may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or mailto:tfinnegan@pulitzer.net.
