MAKENA, Maui-Joan Shimozaki of Kihei, Maui, a past champion, shot a 1-under-par 71 to lead Event No. 10 of the PGA Junior Series held at the Makena Resort-South Course in Makena. Last year Shimozaki won the Girls’ 15-17 age-division of
MAKENA, Maui-Joan Shimozaki of Kihei, Maui, a past champion, shot a 1-under-par
71 to lead Event No. 10 of the PGA Junior Series held at the Makena
Resort-South Course in Makena.
Last year Shimozaki won the Girls’ 15-17
age-division of Event No. 7 at Hapuna Golf Course on the Big Island, and the
17-year-old is well on her way to defending her title, holding a 6-stroke lead
over Jenna Seki of Honolulu.
Grant Yasui of Waipahu fired a 72 to lead the
Boys’ 15-17 age-division by two strokes over Phillip Mesh of Arlington, Texas,
and Matt Collum of Australia.
Tied for fourth place is Kaua`i’s Juston
Thomas, Brandon Phillips of Kihei, Josh Brown of Tucson, Arizona, and Kellan
Anderson of Wahiawa.
Erick Wong of Lihu`e is tied at 39th with Chad Klein
of Pocatelli, Idaho with scores of 86. Landon Peeren of Lihu`e finished at
124.
Bronson Kalilikane of Ewa Beach and Travis Toyama of Kaneohe share the
lead in the Boys’ 13-14 age-division after matching rounds of 75.
Chris
Caycayon of Lihu`e, is tied for eighth place with Andrew Llarenas with scores
of 82. Stephen Peeren of Lihu`e shares a 3-way tie at 15th with A.J. Basuel of
Kapa`a, and Chad Higuchi of Hilo, all three shooting 85.
In the Girls’
13-14 age-division, Lindsay Hong of Honolulu shot a 77 to lead by one stroke
over Lisa Kajihara of Makawao. Kiilani Matsuyoshi of Kapa`a is in fifth place
with an 85, and Jennie Pleas of Lihu`e shot a 92 for twelfth place.
In all,
15 states, four countries, and two U.S. territories are represented in the
110-player field. Using local knowledge to their advantage, juniors from
Hawai`i lead all age-divisions, as many of their counterparts from the mainland
became distracted by the gorgeous ocean views.
Points are awarded to the
boys and girls who finish in the top-20 in the 15-17 age-division. The top two
point leaders in both boys and girls divisions earn berths in the PGA Junior
Championships, August 23-26 at PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens,
Florida.
The PGA Junior Series provides junior golfers with national
exposure, as well as affordable playing opportunities in professionally
supervised events organized by The PGA of America. The Junior Series is
conducted by The PGA with additional support coming from PGA Professionals from
local PGA Sections.
