Sunday's winner of the Masters will become the first qualifier for the 2006 PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which will be played at Po'ipu Bay Golf Course on Kaua'i Nov. 21 and 22.

Tiger Woods won his sixth Slam title last year, beating out Phil Mickelson, Michael Campbell and Vijay Singh,

Tickets for the 24th annual Grand Slam are available at 1-800-PGA-TCKT or on the internet (PGA.com). This will be the 13th year the event has been at Po'ipu.

HONORING SOLDIERS

Mid-Pacific Country Club will host the fourth annual Malama'ia Hawai'i benefit event "Operation Gratitude," on May 22 to honor the men and women of the Hawai'i National Guard and Army Reserves.

Proceeds will support "essential reintegration programs and special events to assist Hawai'i's citizen soldiers as they transition back into civilian life." The club will also host and honor soldiers at the event.

Those interested in playing, supporting the event financially or donating prizes should call Emi Espinda at 262-8161 (ext. 246).

QUALIFIER DEADLINE

Deadline for entering U.S. Open local qualifiers is April 26.

Top players from local qualifiers advance to 36-hole sectionals. Hawai'i will have a sectional for the third straight year, June 5 at Po'ipu Bay. At least one player from the sectional advances to the Open, June 15 to 18 at Winged Foot in New York.

Schedule for U.S. Open qualifiers is: May 13 on Maui (Wailea Gold); May 15 on O'ahu (Turtle Bay Palmer); May 19 on Kaua'i (Po'ipu Bay); and, May 22 on the Big Island (Waikoloa Beach).

Applications are available by calling the U.S. Golf Association (908-234-2300) or online (usga.org).

NOTES

A Handicap Certification Seminar will be next Saturday, April 15, at 9 a.m., at Oahu Country Club. The seminar is necessary for clubs that do not have USGA approved handicaps. Questions should be directed to the Hawai'i State Golf Association, at 589-2909 or HawaiiStateGolf.org Registration is available online.

A golf rules clinic will be conducted by the Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association on April 15, from noon to 2 p.m., at the range on the Naniloa Volcano Resort Golf Course. It will be run by former LPGA player Mary Bea Porter-King. The clinic is free to HSJGA members and their families, $5 for non-members. For more information, contact the HSJGA at 532-0559 on O'ahu or at HSJGA.org