Former University of Hawai'i golfer Matt Kodama had hoped to strike it rich in Las Vegas. But unlike many from the Islands going to Vegas, Kodama had been hoping to do it on the greens at some of the city's finer golf courses, not at the casino tables.

Kodama turned professional after getting his business degree from UH in May. Winning back-to-back state amateur championships in both Hawai'i and Nevada, he felt there was nothing more to prove at the amateur level.

So playing in the Butch Harmon Vegas Tour this summer seemed like a good idea.

The buy-in to play in the developmental tour's 11 scheduled events was steep — $25,000 for full membership. But why not, Kodama thought.

After all, he now lives in Las Vegas with his parents, Bill and Laura Kodama, who moved from Spokane, Wash., nearly four years ago.

And playing at home in a can't-miss mini-tour sponsored by one of golf's most famous instructors, had all the makings of an opportunity for Kodama to improve his game in order to take it to the next level.

"It was pretty steep, but I thought it would be a good opportunity. But if I had to do it over again, no, I wouldn't," said Kodama in a telephone interview. "Especially after I hurt my wrist. I missed three tournaments. I couldn't even hit a golf ball for 3 1/2 weeks."

As for his showing when he was healthy, Kodama thought he did OK. He has won around $6,000 with two events to go, so he is still out some 19 grand from pulling even.

His best finish was third place — good for a $2,300 prize — in the tour's first event at the Rio Secco Golf Club.

"We play some really good golf courses and it's quite a learning experience," he said.

Some of the sites include the Silver Legacy, Las Vegas National Golf Club, Badlands, Painted Desert and Cascata, a course that cost Caesars $100 million to build and the site of next week's 72-hole finale.

Still, the Harmon tour has proved to be somewhat of a disappointment because it is so mini. Not only the players, but even Harmon was disappointed by the turnout.

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, Harmon's dream of creating the most successful golf mini-tour in the country was doused by the cold reality that a lot of players weren't willing to gamble the $25,000 entry fee.

Harmon had envisioned a 156-man field playing for larger purses. Instead, the events have averaged around 12 players.

A Las Vegas resident who runs the Butch Harmon School of Golf in Henderson, Harmon told the Review Journal that he is "very disappointed," but only by the turnout.

"We underwrote this thing ourselves and yet we still managed to do everything we said we'd do and we did it all first class," Harmon said.

"It's like anything else. We're a first-year business and it's tough to get started. The players we have had have really enjoyed the way we have run things, and I think you'll see a significant difference next year."

Harmon added that he is optimistic about his tour's future, especially next year with a new title sponsor, which he did not name.

"I heard they're going to lower the entry fee next year," said Kodama, who added that he plans on playing again — if the price is right.

The low turnout didn't make the events very competitive, according to Kodama. He finished among the top five in six of the events he played, affording him some sense of accomplishment.

After completing the mini-tour, Kodama will stay in Las Vegas, work on his game and try to qualify for the PGA Tour's Michelin Championship at Las Vegas in October. But he put off plans to attempt the 2005 PGA Tour's Qualifying School.

"My game's not where it should be as yet," he said. "There's better use for the $4,000, which I think is what the Q-School entry fee is."

UH men's golf coach Ronn Miyashiro said he believes Kodama has the potential to make it on the next level.

"He's one of the most talented players we've had at our program since I've been here (since 1999). It all peaked for him in his senior year," Miyashiro said.

"He has the work ethic and the ability to make it as a pro. Anybody can be a pro, but he can be a pro who can make money. He definitely has the potential to do that."

"Everything worked out for me in coming to Hawai'i," said Kodama, 23, a Spokane native who decided choosing UH was a no-brainer.

"I knew it was my best chance to play all four years and make the travel squad every year, which I did," he said. "It helped to elevate my game, especially the last two years."

Kodama now hopes he can crank it up to the next level.