FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            December 18, 2006

Release No. M-138-06

MAYOR HANNEMANN HONORS DEAN WILSON 

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann today honored PGA Professional Dean Wilson with the Honolulu Hero Award.

            “This is not an award I give out often or lightly,” Hannemann said, “but Dean Wilson has earned and is certainly deserving of this recognition.”

            Hannemann praised Kaneohe native Wilson for his determination and perseverance in earning his player card and winning on the PGA tour this year at The International in Colorado.  Hannemann said he himself could relate to the struggles Wilson went through to get to where he wants to be.

            “And I like what Dean tells young golfers.  And that is, ‘Pursue your dreams.  Don’t let anyone tell you they can’t be achieved.  And have fun.’”

            Wilson is a graduate of Castle High School.  He received the Honolulu Hero Award at the City’s Pali Golf Course, the municipal course where he first learned to play the game.

            “I want to thank Mayor Hannemann for this recognition,” Wilson, who was flanked by his parents, said, “and I hope to continue to represent well Honolulu and Hawaii on the PGA tour.”

            In addition to his win at The International, Wilson had 6 top ten finishes this season and finished 22^nd on the PGA money list with more than two and a half million dollars in earnings.  Wilson will be in Honolulu through mid-January and plans to play in the Mercedes Championship on Maui as well as the Sony Open next month.

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Contact:

              Bill Brennan, 527-6928

              Mark Matsunaga, 527-5767