PowerShares Series to be played at Mauna Lani in May
KAILUA-KONA — A new kind of “champions” tour is coming to the Big Island.
The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel will host Hawaii’s first ever PowerShares Series tennis tournament May 6, according to a release sent out Wednesday.
Similar to the Mitsubishi Electric Championship — the opening event of the PGA Tour Champions that tees off from Hualalai Golf Course — the PowerShares Series is a competitive tennis circuit featuring legendary tennis icons and world-renowned champions.
Each tournament features four players paired off in one set semifinals and culminates with the winners meeting in a one-set championship match.
John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Mardy Fish and Tommy Haas will be the four competing players on the Big Island. They will play two one-set semifinal matches and a championship match between the winners.
“It’s great that the PowerShares Series has made its way to Hawaii, which will undoubtedly be a very enjoyable event,” said McEnroe. “I have some good memories of playing at Mauna Lani Bay in Hawaii from our first round Davis Cup match against Argentina in 1992, when we went on to win the title. It’s going to be great to come back, play some great tennis and enjoy a bit of Hawaiian paradise.”
The tournament will be one of ten events in 2018 on the PowerShares Series, the North American tennis circuit for champion tennis players over the age of 30. Mauna Lani Bay was also the host venue for the 1992 Davis Cup first round tie between the United States and Argentina, featuring McEnroe.
The Champions Cup will be part of a weekend of events that kicks off May 5 with kids clinics and VIP hit-with-the-pros sessions and a VIP party. USTA members are invited to purchase tickets early via a special presale starting at 10 a.m. on Feb. 16 through 11:59 pm on Feb. 19.
Tickets for the general public are on sale starting on Feb. 20 at 10 a.m.
For more information, go to www.PowerSharesSeries.com.
Wooching to earn start for U.S. squad
Almost a year to the day after announcing his plans to pursue a rugby career, Psalm Wooching will draw a start for the United States national team.
Wooching — a 2012 Kealakehe grad — will suit up as the team’s starting flanker against Chile in the team’s final home match of the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) on Saturday.
ARC is the top elite tournament for North and South American nations.
Last February, Wooching shocked many when he announced his plan on Twitter to pursue a rugby career rather than the NFL. He was coming off a senior season where he gained a reputation as a feared defender in the Pac-12, leading the Huskies in sacks on the way to a berth in the College Football Playoff.
“I will be exchanging shoulder pads for short shorts and rugby boots,” Wooching wrote. “My first love and sport I excelled in was rugby, and it is time for me to follow my heart.”
That journey has quickly come full-circle for Wooching, who will be among a few fresh faces for the US squad against Chile.
“A few players have gone back to their professional setup,” said USA General Manager Dave Hodges. “While that is a challenge we acknowledge and work through, the players who have come into the camp this week have helped energize the team and will add a positive impact to the group.”
The U.S. is currently undefeated in the ARC, notching back-to-back wins over Argentina XV (17-10) and rival Canada (29-10). Chile is winless, sitting firmly at the bottom of the standings.
It will not only be an honor for Wooching to take the field sporting the Red, White and Blue, but it’s also a huge step in advancing his career. By appearing in the match, he will earn his first career cap.
Wooching said in an interview earlier this year that by getting his cap, it will open up doors for him to sign overseas with a professional team full-time when he’s not playing for the national squad.
“I’m ready to take that next step,” Wooching said.
The match against Chile will be broadcast live on The Rugby Channel.
Coach Kaha Wong’s batting cage
The batting cage at coach Kaha Wong’s Big Island Woodbat Academy has been damaged after a van drove through the front entrance.
His batting and catching classes have been canceled until the equipment can be replaced. The Big Island Woodbat Academy started a Go Fund Me account with a target goal of $30,000.
The link is https://www.gofundme.com/BIWBA
Wong has helped over 100 BIIF baseball and softball players land college scholarships.
For more information, contact biwoodbatacademy@gmail.com.