Hawai'i's Tadd Fujikawa became the youngest ever to tee it up in the U.S. Open last week. Next week, Hawai'i's Ayaka Kaneko, Kimberly Kim, Stephanie Kono and Michelle Wie are in the U.S. Women's Open. Wie, arguably the most famous 16-year-old on the planet, is the oldest of the fab five.

Maybe the Mainland ought to take note of whatever it is we are feeding young golfers and what the five major junior players have in common: the Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association. All have been members — or still are — in the organization founded in 1998.

The following year, the HSJGA began what is now a mind-boggling schedule of tournaments, qualifiers, workshops, seminars and clinics on all the major islands.

In the HSJGA's first seven years, statewide events have risen from three to more than 20. Last year, the HSJGA offered 174 opportunities to play in national events, 64 tournament exemptions and a starting point for golfers like Britney Choy, Elyse Okada, Bradley Shigezawa, Chan Kim, Lorens Chan, Mari Chun, Fujikawa, Kono and Kim to win national and international championships.

"Back when I was playing, we had one or two national exemptions a year," said HSJGA interim executive director Rachel Kyono, the 2001 state high school champion. "Now there are way more and I think the kids understand how big that is. More so for the older kids who want to play in college because those national tournaments are the ones coaches go to and watch kids. The exposure definitely helped me get into college and get a scholarship."

More than 30 HSJGA alumni have earned college scholarships since, including Merynn Ito, Amanda and Gabriel Wilson, Travis Toyama, Sarah Sheffield, Ryan Perez and Kurt Nino.

Former LPGA player Mary Bea Porter-King, the HSJGA president since its second year, founded the non-profit organization with Greg Nichols, Merv Kotake and Norman Asao. They wanted an inclusive group where kids (ages 7 to 18) would feel comfortable as their game progressed from beginner to wannabe-Wies.

They also wanted to promote and preserve the traditions and integrity of the game. They wanted kids to have fun, and an outlet to help minimize our isolation and provide the same opportunities available to juniors on the Mainland. They wanted a statewide organization that could work with existing island-based groups.

"Our mission is to bring as many young people to the game at a minimal expense and introduce them to a game of a lifetime," Porter-King said. "Golf will educate our children as they learn the core values used to play the game: honesty, integrity, good sportsmanship and dealing with adversity."

The HSJGA averages more than 550 members a year. Its board of directors is a cross-section of pros, business leaders and others involved with the game from all over the state.

This summer is kicking off with the governor proclaiming July Junior Golf Month. Any kid with any interest in golf can find a local program to get started in the game. If interest grows, they can join a local junior golf organization. When they are ready to step up seriously, the HSJGA is waiting. Membership is open to any junior 7 or older.

"Just like moving up through grades in school," Porter-King said.

"There is a myth the HSJGA competes against other junior golf programs for membership and sponsorships," she added. "Until the day comes that every child plays golf I won't worry about competing. There is always more to do and there are always more children to educate."

Membership costs $25 a year. Benefits range from tournaments to college workshops, instructional, mental and physical training, rules and etiquette clinics — often with prominent instructors — and the chance to meet other kids on other islands with similar interests.

"All different kids meet from around the state and become friends," said Kyono, who played for and graduated from Pepperdine. "It's more competitive than social, but I did make a lot of good friends from HSJGA. We would meet at college tournaments, which was cool. It makes you feel good."

Initially, the HSJGA was funded mostly by grants, donations and tournament fees. The organization has two part-time paid positions and an intern so volunteers do most of the work. Hawai'i golf courses have done their share to help keep costs down around $200,000 annually.

Now success has pushed the financial envelope. The HSJGA is in the midst of a fund-raising push so it can introduce more to the game, improve staffing, provide more travel funding and subsidize tournament fees to make it truly inclusive.

Recently Wie gave the group $50,000 to "help other junior golfers in Hawai'i follow their dreams to be the best they can be." The First Hawaiian Foundation followed with a $10,000 donation.

Porter-King's involvement is pervasive in every area of HSJGA. It is all purely voluntary. She has never had a child in the program, yet her commitment has been constant.

"Golf has given me so much in my life," she said. "I could give back to the game for the rest of my life and another lifetime and never be able to repay the game for all it has taught me and given me. I know what golf teaches all of us about life."

For more information on the HSJGA, call 532-0559 or visit hsjga.org

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com.