Emily T Gail -Wes Wailehua Executive Director/CEO Aloha Section PGA and Foundation

Emily T Gail Talk Story

Emily T Gail Talk Story Show
Wes Wailehua, Executive Director/C.E.O. Aloha Section PGA and Foundation talks about the Mauna Lani Resort Hawaii State Open in partnership with the Aloha Section PGA coming up December 15-17. Hawaii’s most prestigious and historic golf event of the year of professionals and amateurs is a 54-hole stroke play championship event consists of four divisions: Men’s Open, Men’s Senior Open, Women’s Open, and Men’s A-Flight. Spectators are welcome.
Wes also gives an overview of the Aloha Section PGA and the member's role in the growth of the game and care of the golf industry that involves over 25,000 employees in over a 100 facilities in Hawaii.
The Aloha Section PGA Foundation is very involved in the offering of clinics, supporting Junior Golf Programs and many amateur and professional events. Monies raised with the foundation also support scholarships.
The Emily T Gail Talk Story Show is available at emilytgailtalkstory.podomatic.com, Emily T Gail Talk Story and Emily T Gail on face book and is a free iTunes podcast. For more information contact Emily at 896-6780 or [e-mail]
Here is some back story to the history of the Hawaii State Open ... which became the Hawaiian Open ...
Past champions include 1987 U.S. Open Champion Scott Simpson and local favorites Japan PGA touring professional David Ishii and PGA Tour player Dean Wilson. David is the only player to have won both the Hawaii State Open and the Hawaiian Open. The Hawaii State Open is one of Hawaii’s oldest tournaments and has an interesting history. According to the Aloha Section PGA web site, it began in 1974 as a revival of the original Hawaiian Open which began in the 1920's to determine the best golfer in the Islands. Great players from the mainland were invited to compete and did so for more than 30 years. Because of the diversity of players and the boost in economy from these events, three former Waialae Country Club presidents, Ken Brown, John Bellinger and Francis Wright asked the PGA Tour in 1965, to add the Hawaiian Open as a regular stop on the PGA Tour. Although this was a great commercial success, it restricted Hawaiian pros and amateurs from participating in the Hawaiian Open, since now to play in the event, you had to be a playing member on the PGA Tour.
So for a few years there was not a premier event for Hawaiian players. The tournament was revived in 1974 and it was called the Hawaii State Open with same mission: to find the best golfer in Hawaii with the Ted Makalena perpetual trophy after Makalena who was the first Hawaii resident to win a PGA Tour event – the 1966 PGA Tour Hawaiian Open. In 1976, a women’s division was added. In 1989, a senior division was added. It was run by the Oahu Junior Golf Association until 1993 when it was taken over by the Aloha Section PGA and in 2006 the Aloha Section PGA Foundation took over and has full fields each year.