Hawai'i's Kimberly Kim even has the golf magazines calling her "Kim-squared."

She is featured sitting on the grass, holding her 2006 U.S. Women's Amateur trophy and grinning to the sky through her braces on the cover of the Aug. 19 issue of Golfweek.

Kim, who turned 15 last week, is the youngest champion in the 111-year history of the Amateur. She also reached the final of the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links in June and was the youngest to make the cut at the U.S. Women's Open the following week.

Golfweek's 10th-ranked junior girl grew up in Hilo and moved to California last year to help her golf career. She is now a sophomore at Queen Creek High School, near Phoenix, Ariz.

Her 14-year-old vocabulary was given a respectful poke in the first paragraph of the story, with writer Beth Ann Baldry calling Kim "like, the youngest player to win the U.S. Women's Amateur, like, ever."

Columnist James Achenbach was "captivated" by Kim's teenage touch on her victory speech and Baldry also enjoyed it, repeating a few of the "thanks" Kim-squared shared: to God "because I prayed on every hole;" to caddie Frank Nau, because "he was cash;" to the 18th hole for "letting my ball go in;" and, to her opponent, top-ranked German amateur Katharina Schallenberg, because "today you just brought it on."

Kimberly is one of 26 "Kims" in Golfweek's junior rankings.

GolfWorld's Aug. 18 issue showed some empathy for Kane'ohe's Dean Wilson, who won his first PGA Tour event the same week Kim made history. Wilson was No. 1 in the humorous Front 9 feature for beating Tom Lehman at the International.

"Yet," the magazine wrote, "Wilson's was only the second-most amazing win by a Hawaiian golfer last week."

JUNIOR TOURNAMENT WINNERS AT NAGORSKI

Alex Chu and Kristina Merkle won the boys and girls 15 to 18 titles, respectively, at the second annual U.S. Army Junior Classic, which ended Sunday at the Walter J. Nagorski Golf Course.

Chu, of Kapolei, shot a 71-66—137. Merkle, of Honolulu, won with a 71-70—141. Par for 13 to 18 was 68.

Other winners were Brett Komoto (boys 13-14) 70-72—142, Lorens Chan (boys 11-12) 69-68—137, Kelli Oride (girls 13-14) 70-73—143 and Alina Ching (girls 11-12) 84-75—159. The par for 11 and 12 was 72.

The tournament was conducted by the Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association.

MAKENA, KAHILI IN PGA PLAY GOLF PROGRAM

Maui's Makena Golf Club and Kahili Golf Course are among more than 100 courses nationwide participating in a PGA Play Golf America pilot program through September. The Family Vacation for a Day program provides families an opportunity to learn and play golf together.

Makena South has a "3 o'clock Family Walk" nine-hole program available through Sept. 30. Tee times can be made after 3 p.m. The course has limited rental sets for juniors. A Hawai'i driver's license is necessary for the $25 rate. Non-resident rates and tee times are available by calling the pro shop (808-891-4000 or 879-3344).

Kahili has Family Golf Play Days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sept. 17. Each junior accompanied by a paying adult receives free green fees. Call Brad Bowen or TJ Figueroa (808-242-4653) for information.

A complete list of participating facilities can be found at playgolfamerica.com/pages/familygolf_listing.cfm.

GOODBODY QUALIFIES FOR SENIOR AMATEUR

Tom Goodbody, of Honolulu, won a three-way playoff with Marc Rosen, of 'Aiea, and John Catarino, of Rocky Hill, Conn., to capture the U.S. Senior Amateur sectional qualifier on Monday at Honolulu Country Club.

Goodbody, Rosen and Catarino finished with 3-over-par 75s. Andy Toth, of Moloka'i, was one stroke back.

Goodbody will play in the U.S. Amateur Championship, Sept. 16 to 21 at Victoria National Club in Newburgh, Ind.

Rosen sank a hole-in-one on the par-3, 197-yard 13th hole during the qualifier.

NOTES

Twenty women will attempt to qualify for four spots in the USGA Senior Amateur Women's Championship at the local qualifier next Thursday at Honolulu Country Club. The national championship is Oct. 7 to 12 at Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simon's Island in Georgia.

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua showed up fifth and Princeville Resort ninth in Travel and Leisure Golf magazine's 2006 World's Best Golf Resorts reader survey, published in the September issue. Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina was No. 1, ahead of Pebble Beach and Pinehurst, last year's winner.

A new radio show, "Emily Gail Talk Golf," will begin airing Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN AM850 Hilo and AM790 Kona. Guests will be Brendan Monahan, head PGA professional at Hualalai Resort, Ross Birch, head PGA pro at Waikoloa Beach Resort King's Course and Noa Galdiera, Big Island Country Club's Director of Golf.