A day in the sun paid off big for several nonprofit agencies, yesterday. Charles Kawakami, host of the 15th Annual Richard A. Kawakami Memorial Golf Tournament, said that was not such a bad deal for the volunteers from the nonprofit
A day in the sun paid off big for several nonprofit agencies, yesterday.
Charles Kawakami, host of the 15th Annual Richard A. Kawakami Memorial Golf Tournament, said that was not such a bad deal for the volunteers from the nonprofit agencies who were beneficiaries of $20,000 which was distributed during the awards ceremony.
In addition to volunteers from the non-profits, Kawakami said it is only through the graciousness of the many sponsors as well as volunteers from the Big Save ‘ohana that make it possible for the tournament to continue being a success.
Kaua‘i Hospice received a $10,000 gift, the largest amount presented. Other organizations sharing in the benevolence included the Kaua‘i Police Activities Leage, the Kaua‘i Junior Golf program, the Kaua‘i Police Department’s D.A.R.E. program and the Special Olympics of Kaua‘i who each received $4,000 grants.
Hale Opio and the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program were recipients of $2,000 gifts.
Michael Tresler of Grove Farm topped the Low Net winners with a 55, earning the first place 19-inch LCD flat screen TV.
Tresler was followed by Dustin Gummerus who held the lead through most of the posting with a 58. He earned a portable DVD player as his trophy while Hoku Costa, a student at Kamehameha School has about a week left to use his $100 Big Save gift card, the prize for third place with a 59.
Kyle Parongao was the winner of Low Gross with a 69. He was followed two strokes back by Pat Iwasaki and Chris Fujikado, each carding a gross 72.
George Zakahi broke an 8-way tie for 15th place to win the tournament’s grand prize of a trip to Hong Kong/Macau for two.
That trip was limited to the 15th place because this was the 15th year the tournament has been played.
Zakahi earned the prize after finishing with a net 63 along with eight other golfers, and Zakahi’s name being pulled in a random drawing.
Additionally, a Las Vegas trip for two was on the block for lucky number drawings along with prizes for each of the 18 holes at Kaua‘i Lagoons where the tournament was played.
The awards ceremony was held at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center with Eric Sakazaki, the host of the Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, serving as emcee.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
