Barring an unforeseen setback, there will be a youth sports on the Big Island in July. Though as any organizer will tell you, the devil is in the details when trying to plan an event during a pandemic.
The Hawaii State Junior Golf Association unveiled a modified schedule on Friday that includes a match play tournament in July, with separate brackets on Hawaii Island, Oahu, Maui and Kauai.
In a release, Matt Rollins, the HSJGA executive director, said the tournaments “will accommodate the guidelines around large gatherings while in Hawaii Golf Phase 2,” respect course rules and raise funds for the Hawaii Food Bank.
COVID-19 had forced the organization to postpone or cancel all of its 2020 events, including age-group state championships in June and July. The HSJGA also is eyeing holding four stroke play championships in September and the Michelle Wie Tournament of Champions on Maui in early December.
“We also want to show our support to the local community through golf in these difficult times,” Rollins said, “and that’s where we will have our juniors reach out to their networks to pledge donations for the Hawaii Food Bank.”
For more on the HSJHA, visit https://www.hsjga.org.
Meanwhile, Volcano International Soccer Touranament organizer Joy Memmer said the annual American Youth Soccer Oganization event, slated for July 9-12 at Hilo Bayfront, is still on schedule in one form or another. Just how much it’s scaled down remains to be seen. At a minimum, Memmer thinks the skillfest, which usually occurs on the first day, can be held.
Last year’s tournament featured 40 teams, one from California and some from other islands, in four age groups. This year, Memmer would be probably be happy to get a fraction of that, whether it be from AYSO or local clubs – if state and county guidelines allow it.
“We can’t 100% say there will be games held,” Memmer said, “but we can do others things and we’ve been thinking outside the box.
“The main thing with the AYSO is friendship, and we’re going to try and provide that.”
She said she’s hopeful that Mayor Harry Kim later this month will allow practices to be held.
The Volcano tournament serves as a fundraiser for Hilo AYSO, a region that has the cheapest rates in the state, Memmer said.
For more on the tournament, visit http://www.volcanotournament.com