Golf Challenge for Olivia to Benefit Maui Girl

By Wendy Osher

Challenge for Olivia kids golf event. Image courtesy: http://www.lahainajuniorgolf.us/

A youth golf tournament is planned to benefit 6-year-old Olivia Bianco of Maui, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor four months ago.  The youth event will give Olivia’s peers a chance to help by raising funds to defray the cost of her treatment.

Olivia spent the last four months undergoing surgery and chemotherapy on the mainland.  During that time, her parents, Alex and Momoko, her brother AJ, and sister Julia moved to California to be by her side.  In July, the Biancos will return home to Maui, so that Olivia can be cared for by Hospice Maui.

“The Challenge for Olivia” youth golf tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, 2011 on the “Bay Express” in Kapalua.  The tournament is open to young golfers between the age of 6 and 17 years old.  The event features teams of four-players each, and a nine-hole scramble format.

“Maui has very few youth tournaments, so this is a great opportunity for the kids to come together for a great day of fun and competition, while also helping a great cause,” said Dustin Irwin,  Sales and Marketing manager with Troon Golf.

Entry fees are $50 per golfer, and includes a welcome bag with more than $100 worth of gift certificates for youth-related activities, including Hard Rock Cafe keiki meals, rounds of putting at Glow Putt, tickets to Ulalena, and more.

Participants are encouraged to raise funds beyond their entry fee.  The golfer that raises the most will win a stay at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.

“Our goal is for this tournament to have zero costs, and with the generous support of our sponsors, including Kapalua Golf, which donated the use of the golf course, we hope that every dollar raised will go toward supporting the Bianco family,” said Paul Brown, who is co-directing the tournament along with Irwin, and Joel Navarro of Title Guaranty.

The event also includes a lu’au after the tournament to take place at the Kumulani Chapel, across the street from the Honolua Store, featuring keiki hula dancers from The Napili Kai Foundation.  Dinner is included in the golf entry fees.  Additional dinner tickets can be purchased at $20 each for adults, and $10 for children. (Dinner tickets for keiki 3 and under are free.)

The field is limited to 72 golfers.  Applications are available for download at: www.lahainajuniorgolf.us.  Applications can also be picked up at The Bay Course and Plantation Course in Kapalua, The Kapalua Golf Academy, The Kaanapali Golf Course, Title Guarantee offices in Honokowai, Kahului and Kihei, and Hawaii Golf and Tennis in Lahaina’s Gateway Center.

The tournament idea was spurred by a recent fundraising golf tournament and “Offering for Olivia” challenge organized by the kids attending Kamp Kumulani.

For more information, contact Paul Brown at (808) 665-3747 or email pbrownmaui@gmail.com.