A grant from the Nanea Foundation and contributions from Waimea Country Club have helped First Tee of Hawai'i start a program on the Big Island. More than 50 juniors have been playing at Waimea since January.

Participants are taught the program's Life Skills as they learn to golf. Sessions include use of the driving range, putting green and access to the golf course. PGA pro David Hardison is the primary instructor.

"The program has been a great success and greatly received by the community of Waimea," Hardison said. "Several PGA golf professionals volunteer their time to assist me, which greatly enhances the quality of our program. And there are a half dozen volunteers who have provided the structure and safety awareness to our program which allows the instructors to do their job."

There are plans to start the First Tee Life Skills program at the Swing Zone in Kailua, Kona this month.

For information or to become a First Tee volunteer, contact Hardison at 808-430-2528 or hardisond@hotmail.com.

BROWN FOUR-BALL TEES OFF MAY 2

The 58th Francis Hyde I'i Brown Four-Ball Match Play Championship starts with qualifying May 2 and the first round the following day.

Quarterfinals and semifinals will be played May 9, with the 36-hole final May 10, all at Ala Wai.

The cost is $65 per team.

Golfers must have a USGA Approved Men's Handicap Index, as of April 1. There are Championship, A and B Flights.

For information, call the Hawai'i State Golf Association at 589-2909.

NOTES

The annual Dave Shoji Invitational is May 7 at Luana Hills. All proceeds go to the Rainbow Wahine volleyball and help pay for summer school tuition. Cost is $175 per player and the format is three-person modified scramble. Call 956-2506 for information and entry forms.