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TEEN GOLFER FUJIKAWA PROMISES TO 'GO FOR BROKE'
A full field of 144 golfers, among them 16-year old phenom Tadd Fujikawa of Hawaii and a stalwart cadre of World War II Nisei veterans, descended upon Los Coyotes Country Club on July 2 for the 2007 Go For Broke Golf Tournament.
All eyes were on Fujikawa, who was accompanied by his mom and dad, Lori and Derrick Fujikawa, and Doug Goto of Pacific Guardian Life, Hawaii's leading insurance company.
The teen golfer told the post-tournament dinner audience that he recently learned he had relatives who served in the 100th Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team during WWII. "I think that's kind of neat," he said with a sense of pride. "They're my heroes. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them. I don't think many of us would be here," he said, looking over the gathering of mostly third and fourth generation Americans of Japanese ancestry.
A week later, Fujikawa, who is the second youngest golfer in history to qualify for a PGA tour, surprised the golf community by announcing that he has decided to become a professional golfer.
Leroy Kawai chaired the tournament, which was coordinated by Stephanie Nagami, Robi Shibao-Martin, Julia Tominaga, and Ellen Endo of the Go For Broke National Education Center. Committee members included co-chair Darrell Higuchi, Kathy Fujita, Leiton Hashimoto, Eddie Kamiya, Richard Kaku, Marsha Kawasaki, Jan Masaki, Mary-Beth Osaki, Alice Roe, Kevin Shimabukuro, Hogan Tagami, John "JT" Tamaki, Cathy Tanaka, and Doug Urata.
Hiro Takiguchi placed first in the A Flight competition, with Michael Paulo and Robin Morishita placing second and third, respectively.
Howard Kunihiro dominated the B Flight, with Robert Ige taking second place, and Danny Naritoku in third.
Dave Sato and Kevin Yamauchi took first and second place, respectively, in the Callaway, while Sam Furukawa, Henry Aihara, and George Hirano took the honors in the Senior contest.
Deci Kurosaki topped the Women's division followed by Alison Matsumoto.
It was the first time Junior golfers were admitted into the tournament. The new division drew praise from the older golfers, who hoped that the experience would encourage the young players to continue to pursue the sport. Nick Kuriyama placed first among the Junior golfers, with Jennel Alexander in second place, Arielle Valdez-Kumamoto in third, and Cody Alexander in fourth.
Fujikawa also inspired the younger players, but he also had a message for everyone at the tournament: "When there's water on the green and I'm (facing) 250 yards into the wind, I'm going to think of you and go for it. I'm going to 'go for broke.'"
That's the spirit, Tadd. We at Go For Broke will be rooting for you.
