Big Island briefs

Asato memorial golf tournament

A scholarship golf tournament in memory of Arnie Asato, the late lead starter at Hilo Municipal Golf Course, will take place Saturday, June 6 at Hilo Muni.

All proceeds from the two-player scramble format tournament will benefit theHawaii Island Junior Golf Association and University of Hawaii, Hilo golf teams.

Asato died June 6, 2014, in a fishing accident at Malama Flats, Puna. He was 57.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Asato had volunteered in numerous youth baseball and golf programs. At age 17, he started coaching the Ainako Twins baseball team. In 1988, as manager, he led the Big Island team to U.S. championship and second place in the Little League World Series. In all, he had coached 19 years.

In golf, besides being a well-known amateur golfer, Asato had volunteered his service to the Hawaii Island Golf Association, Hawaii Island Junior Golf Association and a number of golf clubs.

The $200 team entry fee will cover the cost of golf cart, green fees and lunch. Entry deadline is May 24. Entry forms are available at Hilo Pro Shop. Wendy Asato at (808) 640-8845 may be reached for further information.

U.S. Open local qualifier on Oahu

Waialae Country Club will host the Hawaii USGA Open Local Qualifier on Monday, May 11. Thirty-eight professionals and amateurs will complete for the two qualifying spots to move on to one of 13 Sectional Qualifiers across the nation on June 8.

Golfers from the Big Island are Kona’s Kitt Kiristopher, Paauilo’s Sean Maekawa, Naalehu’s Hunter Larson, Hilo’s Kevin Hayashi, Waikoloa Village’s JD Brewer, and Waikoloa’s Juan Rodriguez.

Sectional qualifiers will move on to compete in the 2015 U.S. Open Championship at Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash., June 18-20.

For more information, visit www.usga.org or contact the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association at (808) 532-0559 or by email at hsjgaoffice@gmail.com.

Keaau physicals on May 20

Keaau High will be holding physicals at the school gym for all student-athletes on Wednesday, May 20 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Physical will cover athletic participation for the entire 2015-16 school year.

Cost is $25. Proceeds to support the Keaau High athletic training program. Physical forms will be available at site. Students under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent. For more information, contact the athletic training office at 313-3452.

Vuls get softball awards

The UH-Hilo softball teams received bad news earlier this week when it was denied a postseason bid.

Some good news came Wednesday when Vulcans outfielder Colleen Aubrey and third baseman Emily Greene were named to the coaches’ All-Pacific West Conference first team. Ace Vanessa Salinas and Melanie Morelos, who saw time primarily as a designated player, made the second team.

All four seniors had hoped to finish their careers in the postseason. The Vulcans (31-16-1) were twice ranked eighth in the West Region rankings, but their chances took a turn for the worse when Montana State-Billings earned an automatic berth by winning the Great North Athletic Conference last Saturday. St. Martin’s (41-18) of the GNAC drew the No. 7 seed, one spot ahead of Billings.

Aubrey enjoyed a breakout season, finishing fifth in the PacWest with a .425 average, and she was sixth in the league with 45 runs scored. Greene made the first team for the third time, leading UH-Hilo with nine home runs and 38 RBIs. She hit .380.

After a year away from the game, Salinas went 18-8 and her 1.98 ERA was fourth in the league. The right-hander walked just 20 batters in 183 2/3 innings with 91 strikeouts.

Morelos hit .313 with four homers and 33 RBIs.

Golf

Dalen Yamauchi finished his college career with a 4-over 76 at an NCAA regional in Vallejo, Calif.

A Waiakea graduate, Yamauchi tied for 20th at 10-over 226 after shooting a 76 and a 74 during the first two days. The senior was seven shots off the pace.

Junior Kyeton Littel finished with a 77 and tied for 76th at 24-over.