Matthew Ma opens defense of his Army Invitational championship this morning at Leilehua Golf Course. The tournament concludes Saturday, with the amateur field cut to approximately 100 after tomorrow's second round.

Ma's winning score last year was 1-over-par 217. He was a shot better than Sean Maekawa. Jonathan Hirata, Alvin Okada and Thomas Short were third.

Ma, Hirata and Okada are back, along with seven-time champion Brandan Kop, former state high school champions Troy Higashiyama and Kellen Watabu, and University of Hawai'i golfers Pierre-Henri Soero and Ryan Perez.

Ma, an Iolani graduate, will be a senior at the University of Oregon this fall.

Play begins at 7 a.m. each day.

ISHII SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO FOUR

Hawai'i high school graduates Ahromi Wang of Pearl City, Shunsuke Aonuma of Iolani School, Ryan Sasaki of Education Laboratory School, and Brittany Johnston of Waiakea are recipients of the 2006 David S. Ishii Foundation scholarships. Each student receives a $2,500 college scholarship.

Wang will be attending UCLA, Aonuma will be attending Dartmouth College, Sasaki Willamette University, and Johnston Linfield College.

The David S. Ishii Foundation is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and advance the game of golf, and to educate the public as to its benefits to society. The foundation sponsors the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association State Golf Championships in addition to funding college scholarships, clinics, and other programs designed to benefit young golfers in Hawai'i.

The David S. Ishii Foundation currently awards four $2,500 scholarships a year to Hawai'i high school seniors who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement, are active members of their high school golf teams, and plan on attending college full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university.

Application forms can be obtained by writing: DSIF Scholarship Fund Committee, P.O. Box 2927, 'Aiea, HI 96701-2927.

BIG ISLAND ACADEMY OFFERS KAMA'AINA RATE

The Big Island's Spirit of Golf Academy will have a $99 rate for kama'aina this month. Regular clinic price is $250.

Kama'aina can purchase up to four additional certificates at the $99 rate for non-resident family and friends for use during the next year. The Academy, founded by Darrin Gee, "focuses exclusively on the mental and inner aspects of the game."

The clinic is at several courses along the Kona-Kohala coast. Each clinic is limited to five students.

Instruction, range balls, refreshments, rental clubs and personalized Seven Principles of Golf bag tags are included.

For reservations and information, call (808) 887-6800 on the Big Island or e-mail info@spiritofgolfhawaii.com.