Michael Jordan and Ernie Banks talk with Hawaii’s Mark Rolfing on Saturday’s episode of "Global Golf Adventure-Chicago." The show is produced and hosted by Rolfing, an analyst for NBC Sports and the Golf Channel. It will be shown at 7 a.m. in Hawaii, before NBC’s Players Championship coverage.
Fulfilling a "bucket list," Rolfing visits Chicago’s attractions and his favorite sports arenas, including Wrigley Field and Soldier Field. He also highlights golf in Chicago, which will host this year’s Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club.
Rolfing will interview Jordan, Banks, Chicago Bears place-kicker Robbie Gould and the PGA Tour’s Dustin Johnson. Discussions will include Chicago’s sports tradition, the Ryder Cup and Chicago golf. The episode also includes a review of Europe’s victory at the 2010 Ryder Cup, a glimpse at golf in the 2010 host country Wales and a look forward to the Ryder Cup.
"This ‘Global Golf Adventure’ episode showcases two things that are very special to me personally and professionally — the city of Chicago and the Ryder Cup," said Rolfing, a native of DeKalb, Ill. "The Ryder Cup is my favorite event in golf and I believe this year’s Ryder Cup in Chicago will be one of the most anticipated Ryder Cups ever."
Unlimited golf on Kauai
Makai Golf Club at The St. Regis Princeville Resort has a new three-day unlimited golf package and a change to its "Nine, Wine & Dine" program, both available through the end of the year.
The unlimited golf package offers golfers as many holes as they can play on the 18-hole Makai and 9-hole Woods courses for three days. The days do not have to be consecutive, but must be used within a seven-day period. The package is non-transferrable and the price is $435.
The Makai Golf Club has also expanded its "Nine, Wine & Dine" package to allow play at any time. It was previously limited only to tee times after 3 p.m. Golfers play nine holes and get a $50 gift certificate for use at any of The St. Regis restaurants, lounges, or Halele’a Spa. The cost is $110.
For information or tee times, call 808-826-1912 or visit MakaiGolf.com.
Lotte event drew viewers
Television ratings for the inaugural LPGA Lotte Championship last month at Ko Olina ranked among the top 10 for LPGA events since 2008.
The tour announced that viewership of North American events in 2012 is up 18 percent compared to last year. Traffic to the LPGA’s website is also on the rise since the relaunch of LPGA.com before the Kraft Nabisco Championship. The Kraft Nabisco — the year’s first major — and Lotte ranked as two of the top four events in terms of traffic in LPGA.com history.
Hawaii’s Michelle Wie is in next week’s Sybase Match Play Championship, which has 64 players in the field. All three Hawaii LPGA members — Wie, Stephanie Kono and Ayaka Kaneko — are on the preliminary commitment list for the next stop, the ShopRite LPGA Championship, June 1-3.
Notes
» The third annual Kahiau Charity Golf Tournament, which supports the development of junior tennis in Hawaii, will be July 20 at the Hawaii Prince Golf Club. The format is a three-person scramble with a noon shotgun start. The cost is $450 per team. For more information, call 585-9526.
» Punahou alum Alex Ching was named co-male athlete of the year at the University of San Diego banquet for the second straight year on Monday. Ching, who graduates this month, is a two-time conference player of the year and is ranked 47th nationally going into next week’s NCAA Regionals.
