To understand what the inaugural Kinoshita Pearl Classic means to the LPGA's Legends Tour follow the numbers. Their inaugural Legends Tour Open Championship next month has a $300,000 purse. They are playing for $350,000 this weekend at Kapolei Golf Course.

It's a modest amount in the days of $1 million winner's checks on the PGA Tour, but it will be shared by a 35-player field and there is no cut. It isn't the Champions Tour, but turning 45 has suddenly become something to look forward to in women's golf.

"I'm proud of everybody who is out here and still has the desire to play and compete," said Cindy Rarick, who played for the University of Hawai'i in the 1970's, won five times on the tour from 1987 to '91 and turned 50 last month. "These women appreciate things so much more. These women started the tour and never played for the big bucks. For us, 35 players for $350,000 is fantastic."

LPGA Hall of Famer Amy Alcott, who won the first Women's Kemper Open on Maui in 1982, is here. So is Pat Bradley, a Hall of Famer with six major victories and a highway named after her in her hometown.

Sandra Haynie is the third Hall of Famer and oldest in the field at 66. She won 42 times, but there were only two years when she collected more than $50,000, which is the winner's share here.

Rarick believes length has an advantage over youth at Kapolei and considers Sherri Turner, Christa Johnson and Kris Tschetter the longest off the tee in this field. Tschetter, who turns 45 in December, is also the youngest here.

Others in the field include Jan Stephenson, Rosie Jones, Dawn Coe-Jones, Nancy Scranton and Val Skinner.

The Pro-Am tees off today, with the first round tomorrow and final round Sunday. Play begins at 9 a.m. each day, with the final group expected to finish around 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

There are five sponsor exemptions for Japan LPGA players, given to Yoshiko Ito, Miki Oda, Akane Oshiro, Aiko Takasu and Lee Young Me.

According to Rarick, the atmosphere at Kapolei will be even more relaxed than the laid-back Champions Tour.

"These 35 women are very congenial and friendly," she said. "It's attitude with gratitude. If you have that in your life you'll be a lot happier."

Admission is free. Caddies are still needed. Those interested should call Kapolei's Ken Terao (447-0202).