Under veteran board, Lahaina Junior Golf program flourishing
LAHAINA – The Lahaina Junior Golf program continues on a drive straight down the fairway to success in its third year serving the youth of Maui.
According to Don Rosenthal, who was recently appointed president of LJG, the organization has made great strides toward enhancing its position as a cutting-edge program for the younger generation of golf enthusiasts.
“We’ve formed a board of directors and attained 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax status for Lahaina Junior Golf, and things are taking shape nicely for us,” stated Rosenthal last week.
“This board of directors is impressive to me – they have a wealth of knowledge and experience in regards to golf and community relations.”
The board officers includes Vice Presidents Suti Nitakorn and Mike Jones (the golf directors at Kaanapali and Kapalua, respectively), Treasurers Judy and Jim Peterson and Secretary Ana Kanaha.
Also on the board are Peter Villatora, Jason Kanaha, Don Guzman, Scott Soldwisch, Ben Hongo, Dave Havens, Laura Jones and Tom Bell.
“We had 56 applicants from all over Maui for the program this year, and that has been whittled down to the 36 kids that we have participating right now, 14 of which are girls,” said Rosenthal.
“We started in August with three divisions – beginners, intermediate and advanced – playing matches on Wednesdays and Sundays leading up to our Lahaina Cup event at the beginning of November. That will be our championship tournament to be played on November 5-6 at Kapalua and Kaanapali with an awards ceremony to follow. Season and tournament champions will be announced for all three divisions along with the Lahaina Cup presentation.”
Rosenthal also noted that LJG will hold a fund-raising event on Dec. 10 at the Kapalua Bay Course.
“We invite the public to come out and participate in a fun day of golf at one of the premiere courses in the country. There will be prizes and an awards dinner at The Barn at the Kapalua Resort immediately following the shotgun format tournament. Proceeds will go directly to enhancing the effort of Lahaina Junior Golf to mentor the kids and provide a pathway to recognition from college coaches,” he said.
“These contributions will help keep the program running – to get exposure for the kids by getting them to events like the College Golf Connection Combine in the Midwest during the summer.
“I am so impressed with what’s happening right now with the program flourishing as it is. It has come further along than I ever thought it would, and this is a direct result of the wealth of knowledge and experience of the board of directors. They have taken the ball and run with it,” Rosenthal concluded.
For more information, or to make a contribution to Lahaina Junior Golf, go to www.lahainajuniorgolf.us or call 214-0353.