Aloha, Tadd

by Mulligan Stu on Dec 19, 2007 10:57 AM EST

Good news for Tadd Fujikawa: He's picked up his first corporate sponsor, and he's also received a sponsor exemption to play in the 2008 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

The corporate sponsor is Aloha Petroleum Ltd., although the deal doesn't sound like anything earthshaking:

"It's going to help with a lot of my travel expenses and things like that," said Fujikawa. "It's definitely going to help my game get better."

Bob Maynard, president and CEO of Aloha Petroleum, said the 5-foot-1 Fujikawa "embodies the spirit of our Hawai'i. He can be a wonderful role model for the youth of Hawai'i, and the youth is our future."

The Pebble Beach Pro-Am is Feb. 7-10. It is the second known tournament appearance for Fujikawa in the coming year. He'll also be playing the Sony Open Jan. 10-13.

Speaking of the Sony Open, the Sony recently held its local qualifier in Hawaii. Kevin Hayashi earned a berth in the pro division, and Alex Ching in the amateur division.

Ching is 16 years old, a senior at Punahou (they just keep churning them out). He's a two-sport star, a state tennis champion who has also won some major junior golf tournaments. And now he's in the Sony Open.

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gotta love Hawaii

I don't remember Hawaiian companies and people in general speaking in such glowing terms about Michelle Wie and her affect on the kids of Hawaii. Tadd Fujikawa just seems to be accepted as one of the people - maybe because he's not from a wealthy family and went to the public schools. I know I'll be pulling for him to make a big splash as a pro.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 19, 2007 11:40 AM EST reply actions

No More Wie

I wonder if Sony is again going to show Michelle Wie some sponsor exemption love?

Keep it in the short grass

by Acemakr on Dec 19, 2007 11:54 AM EST reply actions

No

Word is she has an invitation, but won't be able to accept it because the tournament dates conflict with some important Stanford dates.

by Mulligan Stu on Dec 19, 2007 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

say what ?

"Important Stanford dates..." ??? She started her freshman year by taking 2 weeks off to collect appearance money in Asia and fall just short of another DFL finish here in the states.

This falls in behind Barry Bonds and Roger Clemons not taking steroids and/of HGH.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 19, 2007 2:14 PM EST up reply actions