WOMEN'S GOLF HOSTS 24TH ANNUAL DR. DONNIS THOMPSON INVITATIONAL

HONOLULU, March 12 -- The University of Hawaii issued the following news release:

The University of Hawai'i women's golf team hosts their final tournament of the season, the 24th annual Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, March 16-18, at the Kane'ohe Klipper Golf Course in Kane'ohe, O'ahu.

This year's Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational will be of extra significance.

Last month, Dr. Thompson, UH's first women's athletics director and tournament namesake, passed away at the age of 75. She was a pioneer and champion of women's sports and UH's spring golf tournament has been named in her            honor since 1999.

Dr. Thompson was inducted into the school's Sports Circle of Honor in 1988 for her tremendous achievements and many contributions to the UH Athletics programs. Dr. Thompson was an avid supporter of women's equality. She disagreed with the idea that athletics were a "men's place" and that women had no place in sports.

The Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational is held every March at the 5,907-yard, par- 72, Kane'ohe Klipper Golf Course on the windward side of the island of O'ahu. The course has served as home to the tournament every year except when it moved to Olomana Golf Links in 2000 and '01. The Klipper is known for its majestic views of the Ko'olau Mountain Range and the raging surf of the Pacific Ocean. The course rating is 71 and it has a slope rating of 130 on Bermuda grass. The course was designed by William P. Bell, ASGCA, and opened in 1939. The Invitational started in 1986 and is in its 24th year. UH's Bobbie Kokx captured the inaugural tournament in 1986. Before a standout professional career, Arizona's Annika Sorenstam repeated as champion in 1991 & '92. Arizona has captured a record six tournament titles (1986, '90-92, '96, '99-2000) and has seven individual winners, most recently Natalie Gulbis, a current member of the LPGA, who won the title in 2001.

In honor of her many accomplishments to the UH Athletics programs, the Rainbow Wahine Invitational Golf Tournament was re-named the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational in 1999. The event was started to give women's golf teams from across the nation, including schools from Japan, to compete and share their athletic talents in one of the biggest tournaments in the state.

In the 1986 inaugural tournament, host Hawai'i proved they could compete with the best programs in the nation. UH tied with powerhouse Arizona for the team title - for its only tournament championship - and Rainbow Wahine Bobbie Kokx captured the individual title with a score of eight-under, 224.

This year's field includes 12 collegiate teams including two from Japan, Osaka Gakuin and Nagoya University. In addition to Hawai'i, other Western Athletic Conference schools competing include Boise State, Idaho, and Nevada. Also competing are Kansas State, Lipscomb, Northern Colorado, and UTEP, along with the highest ranked teams according to Golfweek, No. 32 Texas A&M and No. 58 Indiana. What: Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational

Date: Monday through Wednesday, Mar. 16-18

Where: Kane'ohe Klipper Golf Course, Kane'ohe, O'ahu

Yardage (Par): 5,907 (72)

Format: 54-hole tournament (18 holes each day)

Host: Hawai'i

Who: Boise State, Hawai'i, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas State, Lipscomb, Nagoya University, Nevada, Northern Colorado, Osaka Gakuin, Texas A&M, UTEPFor more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.