Golfing for Good

Letter from a Former Player to his Mentor

Dear Coach Hamada,

I imagine you to be in a much better place, maybe even playing golf with friends Masa Yonamine ’47 and Bing Fai Lau ’28. I hope you are hitting it straight and not leaving any of your putts short.

We held your annual golf tournament on August 13 at Pearl Country Club again this year. As usual it was a great day of fun and fellowship, but it just wasn’t the same without you there. We missed your smiling face and hearty laugh, your kind words of support, your sincere interest in everyone’s lives, and even you teasing us about how much weight we gained. You would have enjoyed seeing many of your former players, coaches and friends. To name just a few: Ted Wong ’47, Larry Cundiff ’55, Les Uyehara ’60, Jon ’69 and Steph Yamaguchi, Russ Saito ’61, Carey Inouye ’66, Brian Sunada ’66, Roy Nishioka ’55, Roy Murakami ’55, Glenn Flores ’69, and George Fujishige all played.

Can you believe this year marked the 19th year of the tournament? I thought about making an Eddie Hamada Golf Tournament banner to put up, but I remembered the last time we did that, you took it down and threw it away because, in your usual humble manner, you said it was embarrassing.

Mike Flores ’67 and the Class of ’67 helped run this year’s tournament, and Mike told a story of how you told him that ‘Iolani alumni are not dishonest on their golf handicaps, they are just too humble. The golfers got a kick out of that, Coach.

Of course, we thanked all the sponsors, prize donors, volunteers, and players who made the golf tournament possible. We thanked them for supporting the tournament and in turn your scholarship fund that enables two current students, Kainoa Scheer ’11 and Ammon aldomero ’11, to attend ‘Iolani School. And then, Coach, we did something long over due, we thanked you. I know you would argue and say that was unnecessary, but it was important. You allowed us to name this tournament after you only because it supports our students. Thank you.

We realized that we have a lot to thank you for, Coach. The example you set through your own life and the lessons you tried to teach us in humility, dedication, compassion, generosity, fairness, and the One Team spirit gave us a high standard of excellence we all aspire to achieve. You always said you could never be Father Bray. Well, you were right, you weren’t Father Bray, you were Coach Hamada, you were your own man, and we are all better people for having known you. Thank you, Coach. Many of us have become who we are today because of the seeds you planted in us years ago. You continued to plant seeds even in our adult years. I smile at the hope that down the road I will be a better person when other seeds you have planted finally awaken and come to life. I don’t think I truly appreciated it until recently, but the best part of my job was the opportunity to work and spend time with you every day. I miss those days, Coach.

During the golf tournament banquet, we made a toast to you, even though you are probably cringing at the attention.

“Mr. Hamada, you coached us in athletics but taught us lessons in life. You gave so much and asked for so little. We love you. We miss you. We thank you. Cheers.”

You may not have been there physically, but your presence was definitely felt, and you will always be a part of us. Thanks, Coach, thanks for everything. ‘Iolani—One Team.

Sincerely,
Christian (as you have called me)