AARP Hawai'i, the West Hawai'i Section of the United States Tennis Association, the Elderly Affairs Division of the County of Hawai'i and the Kailua-Kona Tennis Club will hold a free party tomorrow to welcome new and returning players over the age of 50 back to the game of tennis.

It will be held rain or shine at the Old Airport Tennis courts, from 3 to 7 p.m., and features food, a warm-up session, an opportunity to get re-acquainted with the game through fun drills, and a chance to sign up for ongoing play.

"Tennis is the sport of a lifetime," said Don Guluzzy, President of the West Hawai'i District Tennis Association. "We want people to remember what they loved about the game in the 70's and take up their racquets again. This is a fun sport at any age and there are lots of opportunities to play it here in Kona."

AARP Hawai'i has been involved in a four-year "Shape Up Across Hawai'i" campaign to increase physical activity among midlife and older adults. The Kailua-Kona Welcome Back to Tennis Party is the final campaign event scheduled for 2005 and also serves as a celebration for those who successfully completed the 2005 AARP 10 Week Walking Program.

Contact the AARP Information Center in Kailua, Kona (334-1212) to sign up.

BARAHAL MAKES QUARTERS

Kailua's Sebastian Barahal reached the quarterfinals of the Little Mo Western Regional Championship in San Diego recently, ultimately falling in the consolation final.

Barahal represented the Hawai'i Pacific Section in the 8-under division. He beat Jakub Wojcik of Arizona, 6-4, 6-2, in the round of 16 before falling to Riley Smith of California. In the consolation bracket, Barahal defeated Arizona's Sami Kierberg, 6-0, 6-1, and California's Kalman Boyd, 6-4, 6-1, in the semifinals.

Barahal lost in the consolation final to Daniel Greer, from California, 6-3, 6-2.

By making it to the consolation final, Barahal will be considered for Nationals in his age division in Austin, Texas, later this month.