Tadd Fujikawa is headed for the Nationwide Tour later this month. The 18-year-old Hawai'i pro has received an exemption to play in the Cox Classic in Omaha, Neb.

The tournament is July 23 to 26 at Champions Run. It has a $725,000 purse.

Fujikawa's last event was the Kahili Maui Open, which he won last month. He has earned nearly $80,000 this year and made the cut in all three of his PGA Tour starts. Fujikawa has not played a Nationwide event since the Miccosukee Championship in Miami, in 2007.

Fujikawa is the youngest golfer ever to qualify for the U.S. Open and the second-youngest to make the cut at a PGA Tour event.

The Cox Classic has given more than $1.6 million to local charities over the past 13 years. All four rounds will be broadcast on The Golf Channel. Ryan Hietala is defending champion.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

JUNIORS COMPETE FOR TITLE ON BIG ISLAND

Hawai'i's "older" young golfers have their state showdown next week when the Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association conducts its King Auto Group State Championship for those between the ages of 13 and 18 at The Club at Hokuli'a on the Big Island.

Juniors tee off Monday at 10 a.m. and Tuesday at 9 a.m. Girls play the course at 5,314 yards, with the 13-14 boys at 6,468 yards and the 15-18 boys some 400 yards longer.

The field includes Kalena Preus, Richard Hattori, Allisen Corpuz, Kacie Komoto, Alika Bell, Nainoa Calip, Bradley Shigezawa, Cassy Isagawa, Alina Ching, Britney Yada, Marissa Chow, Anna Jang and two-time state high school champion Kristina Merkle.

FIRST TEE OF HAWAI'I

SUMMER PROGRAM STARTS AT ALA WAI

A trio of four-day First Tee of Hawai'i summer programs will be conducted this month at Ala Wai Driving Range. The first begins Monday, with the others scheduled to start July 13 and July 20.

Daily classes are from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and cost $30 per session. Players ages 7 to 18 are eligible.

For more information, contact PGA pro Kellan Anderson (256-9117 or kellananderson@yahoo.com).

Programs will also be run out of Hawai'i Country Club in Kunia this month. For information, contact Edmundo Gordon (277-6254 or donmundo@yahoo.com).

FAMILY GOLF MONTH

FREE ACTIVITIES AT FOUR GOLF FACILITIES

Four Hawai'i golf facilities are hosting special programs this month for PlayGolf-America's fourth annual Family Golf Month. Throughout July, some 1,000 golf facilities nationwide will offer free and affordable activities for families. Programs are designed to be "structured, yet casual" to allow families to learn the game together.

Turtle Bay on O'ahu, Kiahuna and Kaua'i Lagoons on Kaua'i and Ka'anapali on Maui have programs listed at http://www.playgolfamerica.com. Options include Kids Play Free, Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range, Take Your Daughter to the Course Week and free clinics.

GOLF AMBASSADOR

HALL OF FAMER IRWIN GETS ANNUAL AWARD

World Golf Hall of Fame member Hale Irwin has been named the 2009 Ambassador of Golf by Northern Ohio Golf Charities. The award is presented annually to a person or persons who have fostered the ideals of the game on an international level and whose concern for others extends beyond the golf course.

Irwin, who has excelled on every level throughout his nearly five-decade career, has used his stature to found and support the Hale Irwin Center for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the St. Louis Children's Hospital. Irwin has represented Hawai'i resorts for many years and is currently with The Club at Hokuli'a.

"We are pleased to honor Hale Irwin this summer during the Bridgestone Invitational as the 2009 Ambassador of Golf," said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem. "Hale is the ultimate example of all that is good about the game of golf. His accomplishments on the golf course are impressive, from his 20-win career on the PGA Tour, which included three major championships, to his record 45-win-and-counting career on the Champions Tour. Yet in addition to his perseverance, sportsmanship and humility as a Hall of Fame player, Hale has been even more accomplished as a person. His work to support the St. Louis Children's Hospital is a commitment that spans a quarter century."

NOTES

There will be a free Demo Day with TaylorMade Golf Saturday at the Hawaii Kai Golf Course driving range, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call the course at 395-2358, ext. 2

Waikoloa Resort's Beach and Kings' Courses have a special $60 kama'aina golf rate running through the end of the month. The cost includes green and cart fees, bottled water and unlimited use of practice facilities. Hawai'i residents must present a valid Hawai'i Drivers License. Call 886-7888 on the Big Island for more information.