NAWILIWILI — The field for the Contractors Association of Kaua‘i scholarship golf tournament was sold out at 72 Saturday at the Hokuala Ocean Course.
“We could’ve had a lot more golfers,” a CAK spokesperson said. “But we could only accommodate 72 golfers because of the COVID-19 rules and guidelines.”
The rules and guidelines that included temperature and health screenings ahead of registration, face masks being worn, social distancing, and no post-play luncheon did not stop the golfers at the CAK tournament, the first of several major golf tournaments taking place over the next month, ending with the first Veterans Day tournament, Nov. 8 at Hokuala.
“My wife and I are volunteering today to get a feel for the tournament play,” said Bart Thomas, the Kaua‘i Veterans Center Museum director and junior vice commander of the Kaua‘i Veterans Council, which will host its first tournament Sunday, Nov. 8 with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. at Hokuala.
“I just got the paperwork for that tournament,” said Sharron Weber of Tire Warehouse, partnering with Alec Ahana for the CAK play. “I’ve already donated for the lucky golf balls for the Kaua‘i United Way golf ball drop that takes place tomorrow, and I’m registered for the Arryl Kaneshiro fundraising golf tournament that plays Oct. 18 at the Puakea Golf Course. I’m going to look over the Veterans Day tournament after today.”
The team from Gather Federal Credit Union — Kaleo Perez, Justin Ganaden, Tom Hilson and Mike Garcia — took up a row of golf cars (one golfer per cart) at the CAK tournament, enjoying their brown-bag breakfast that accompanied each registration. Golfers coming in following the 18th hole were met with to-go bento.
“We still have some lucky golf balls,” Perez said. “Unfortunately, we can’t participate because we work for Gather FCU. We’ll be helping with the golf-ball drop on Oct. 24 at the 21st annual Charity Golf Tournament at the Puakea Golf Course.”
The final deadline for donating for the lucky golf balls is Oct. 23. Proceeds from the ball drop will go toward the Wilcox Hospital’s Emergency Department and Trauma Center Renovation Project via the Kapi‘olani Hospital Children’s Miracle Network.
Grand prize for the drop engineered by Jack Harter Helicopters is $1,000 cash, with two runner-up prizes of $250 each. All other balls dropping into the hole earn $50.
And, if that is not enough golf, Hua Duncan of the Hokuala Ocean Course said Hokuala will rock the range later in October as a benefit for the American Cancer Society.
“This is a public event held up at the range,” said Kellie Hines, the head golf professional at Hokuala. “We’ll have details very shortly.”
Dr. Mike Oride, a golfer in the CAK tournament, said people are anxious to get out and play after being at home because of the COVID-19.
“They just want to play,” he said.
