Hawai'i's Kelvin Miyahira was named one of America's Top 50 Kids Teachers by U.S. Kids Golf. Miyahira works out of Newtown Driving Range in Pearl City.

Golf professionals who focus on developing young golfers in their communities make up the second annual listing of America's Top 50 Kids Teachers. Atlanta-based U.S. Kids Golf manufactures golf equipment and develops instructional programs and competitive events for kids. The announcement came at the 2006 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.

"What makes my program succeed is that I care deeply about having each kid improve and enjoy the game," Miyahira said. "Take that away, and all you have is an empty shell of a golf program."

Miyahira has been teaching junior golfers for 20 years.

Dan Van Horn, founder and president of U.S. Kids Golf, said Miyahira and the other professionals in the America's Top 50 have made a "commitment to helping kids not only learn the game of golf, but also develop a love for the game that lasts far beyond their days in junior golf."

The Top 50 list includes teachers in 26 states who work at public, private, resort and municipal courses.

NOTES

Wie Lopez finalist: Hawai'i's Michelle Wie is one of 10 finalists for the Nancy Lopez Award, given to a player based on her amateur achievements in 2005 (Wie turned pro in October). Other nominees include Morgan Pressel and Louise Stahle. The award will be presented April 20 with the winner getting an exemption into the LPGA's Atlanta Charity Championship that week.

Course rankings: Hawai'i has three courses among the Top 100 Modern courses in Golfweek's annual list of America's Best Courses. Kapalua Plantation was No. 58, followed by Princeville Prince (61) and Mauna Kea (97). A dozen other courses received mention on the state-by-state list of best public-access courses.